Inside A Computer

1. Locate the RAM chip(s). How do you know how much RAM there is? How do you remove and replace them? Would you be comfortable doing this on your own computer?
It basically says how much is on, via a little sticker or two on the RAM chips. They're easy to take out if you just gently pull the chips out. I might be comfortable replacing RAM on my own computer, but maybe not other components. I'm not sure yet.
2. Locate the Hard Drive. How is it connected to the motherboard? What kind of cable does it use? How do you know how large the Hard Drive is?
3. Locate the Power Supply. How many watts does it use? What do you think the advantages of having a low watt power supply or a high watt power supply are?
4. Locate the CPU. What is on top of it? How hard is it to access? Why do you think it is set up this way?
A large fan/heat sync is on top of it. It's fairly hard to access. It's set up this way to disperse the heat that the CPU generates so that it doesn't fry itself. It's also probably a good idea to have the heart of the computer under a decent amount of protection.
5. Locate the optical drive. Is it a CD Drive, DVD Drive or Blu-Ray Drive? How do you know?
6. How many fans are there inside the computer tower? What are some reasons why you would need to add more fans?
I have found two fans in total. Heat is a dangerous issue in a computer, so I would think that you would need a decent amount of fans to maintain heat suppression.
7. Is there a video card? Is it a dedicated video card or integrated video?
I think so.
8. Is there a sound card? How do you know?
9. What are some possible hardware upgrades for this computer? Give three examples.
10. What are some advantages to upgrading an old computer over buying a brand new computer (give three)? What are some disadvantages (give at least one)?

Learning Blog Post #14

Well, quite a lecture, but the gist of it was understood. I'm actually REALLY stoked for the day I can afford my own computer. I HATE sharing the computer with my brother and mother. If I'm selfish with anything, it's the computer. Fuck you, I'm on it. Thank you, have a nice day. Oh, and here's a little sprite I made second block today.

Kind of strange, really.

But yeah, that's all for today, I think.

STILL stoked for learning to make a flash game or using gamemaker or whatever.

Sincerely,

Bleed.

Building Vs. Buying

Advantages of Building:
-The selection of parts. When building, you have access to whatever parts you so desire. Pre-built computers don't provide that luxury, considering their parts have already been selected.
-Pre-built computers of the same model may have different parts. One seller may change to a cheaper processor and sell the same model with that particular processor. Building guarantees the parts you desire.
-By building your own computer, learning which parts interact with what components and such, you may acquire the knowledge required to troubleshoot and fix your own computer, avoiding tech support and repair bills.

Disadvantages of Building:
-The cost to build a computer as opposed to buying one costs a little more.
-If a part has something wrong with it, you must contact that specific manufacturer in order to fix it, whereas a pre-built only requires the attention to one manufacturer and warranty service group.
-Time consumption along with effort to correctly construct your computer is required.

Would I Build or Buy?
Well, seeing how I'm lazy and know little to nothing about constructing technology, I would probably just buy a pre-built computer - unless someone built it for me. I'm also fairly poor, so I wouldn't be able to afford a custom-built computer. But, I personally support building, considering the consumer gets exactly what they want, so long as they can afford it. I think getting what you desire is the most important part of being a consumer, don't you?

Introduction To Computer Systems

1. What is the tower? - What does it look like? - What is its function?
The enclosure that holds all of the internal components of a computer. Basically looks like a big rectangular structure for a desktop computer, whereas a laptop or notebook is a very slim rectangular shape with a built in moniter. Function? I suppose it's merely for support and protection of the internal components.
2. What is RAM? - What does it look like? - What is its function? - What does RAM stand for?
RAM (Random Access Memory), "provides space for your computer to read and write data to be accessed by the CPU (Central Proccessing Unit)."
3. What is a Hard Drive? - What does it look like? - What is its function?
A location where all of your files and programs are stored. Corrupt this, and you lose a lot of data.
4. What is a DVD and DVD drive? - What do they look like? - What is their function?
A Digital Versatile Disc is a form of optical storage media based on a compact disc. A DVD Drive, to what I can assume, is basically what accesses and runs the DVD disc itself.
5. What is an ethernet cable? - What does it look like? - What is its function?
An ethernet cable is basically what links your computer to your internet modem. It looks, and is, a long cord encased in what's usually a blue, plastic material.
6. What is a motherboard? - What does it look like? - What is its function?
The underlying circuit board of a computer.
7. What is an IDE and SATA cable? - What do they look like? - What is their function?
Integrated Drive Electronics.
8. What is USB? - What does it look like? - What is its function? - What does USB stand for?
A Universal Serial Bus.
9. What is a video card? - What does it look like? - What is its function?
"A piece of hardware installed into a personal computer to allow it to send video signals to an external output device such as a monitor or projector."
10. What is a PCI card? - What does it look like? - What is its function? What does PCI stand for?
A Peripheral Component Interconnect is an interconnection system between a processor and attached devices in which expansion slots are spaced closely for high-speed operation.

Computer Systems - Background Check

What do you already know about computer systems?

I know little to nothing, despite the endless time consumption devoted to the use of my computer. So, my glass is pretty empty, and could use a nice dose of hard knowledge.
Terminology: an endless list of terms regarding the operating system of a computer, physically and virtually. I may be fairly virtually aware, but physically... well... lets just say I haven't learned that stuff quite yet. I've played over Local Area Networks using Warcraft III and Age of Empires II, but that's basically it, really. Everything else, I'm... fairly ignorant.

What do you want to learn about computer systems?

Mainly, I want to learn about networking and such. Everything else, you can pretty much just throw at me and I'll do my best to absorb it.

Magazine, For The HORDE!... Well, No... Not Really.

Sexy? I think SO! Please comment.
Oh, and I give it a four out of freakin' four.
One, it features Hitler. Two, does it not look pretty much like a GamePro magazine? Three, look at all my clever text! Four, nice organization and layout. Hitler follows the Rule of Thirds to some degree.
Overall, I just think its a kickass magazine cover, really.

Thank you,
Bleed.

A Couple More Sprites

And here is an addition to my collection of approximately, and at least, fourty-two custom made Pokemon sprites.

Comments and criticism to any of my sprites is much appreciated and encouraged. Thank you.

Note: In the near future, I will give each experimentation a designated name, number and short biography or backstory - just to give each creation a little more life.

Sincerely,

Bleed.

Learning Blog Post #13

Well, I've started my magazine cover, and have a new idea for my "President Evil" image arrangement. I'll also need some headlines though, as well as a couple other clever game spoof names.

And on top of that, here are a couple more sprites.

Sincerely,

Bleed.

And Much More Sprite Work

Here are sixteen more custom Pokemon sprites to add to my collection. I might need some new ideas. What do you think?

More Sprite Work

Here are a couple additions to my collection of sprite work. Basically a couple serpents, as requested by a couple friends. The one on the left is for Karissa, whereas the right is for Kelvin.

Learning Blog Post #12 - Color Relationship - Triad

Well, due to time constraints, I have combined two different posts into one.
I'll begin with my image below - a demon, colored in with a dull cyan, yellow and darkish red. A triad color relationship.

With two minutes to spare, I'll inform you that I have a wicked idea for a magazine cover, using Game Pro. I'll have to submit it after spring break however, considering I'll need a bit of organization for my photos.

Anyways, I'll conclude my post.

Farewell,

Bleed.

Visual Balance - Poster

Well, it's not the greatest, but here's my little poster.
Warcraft - the soul sucker of all videogames.

Bleed.

Typography - Rough Draft

Here is my wallpaper so far -in two variations. I'm not sure which one to advance:

I'll finalize it most likely tomorrow.

Please leave suggestions.

Sincerely,

Bleed.

CD Cover Design

Artist: Demonic Futility
Album: Bleeding Cries of the Succubi

Theme: Demon/Darkness/Hell

Genre: Death Metal

Out of my recent new obsession with succubi, a form of female demon who seduces, rapes and siphons the souls of mortal men, I have decided to do a general demonic theme for my album cover. Color scheme follows a general red/orange/yellow, purple/violet/magenta/blue/grey, and of course black. I've decided to give myself a rating of four. The succubus, our main subject, is dedicating herself to the use of negative space as well as her face following the rule of thirds, the main text "Demonic Futility" and "Succubi" follow the rule of thirds, the color scheme is visually appealing, the cover is dedicated to its theme and finally, the use of contrast - a burning flare on the left, with a mysterious black on the right, using the Succubus to divide the contrast. The eyes on the right stand out because of its juxtaposition to black while the burning hand on the left blends in more with its background, sharing a close array of colors. My band name kicks ass as well as its album name. And this is why I rate my cover a fervent four.

Bleed.