“Feminization of the Internet” February 23, 2008

Sorry, Boys, This Is Our Domain
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The article basically states that girls are more likely to create web content (blogs, graphics, photographs, Web sites) than boys. I like the idea behind the article, but I’m not entirely convinced their figures are correct. For example, “Girls also eclipse boys when it comes to building or working on Web sites for other people and creating profiles on social networking sites (70 percent of girls 15 to 17 have one, versus 57 percent of boys 15 to 17).” There’s a pretty big difference between coding a webpage and creating a Facebook profile. I know a lot of people learn html to customize their myspace profiles, but I don’t think that’s what the study specifically asked.

Random tangent for the day: another place where females have contributed content is downloadable items for the Sims series. Whether you wanted to get new clothing, furniture or floor tiles, a majority of the websites are hosted by and had stuff created by females. I think the Sims really appealed to a female fanbase in general because of the interior decorator/fashion design aspect when it came to customizing your houses and sim people.

Another random tangent: I’d love to see a game that merged the Sims with action/adventure/RPG. Imagine your warrior and your cleric get into an argument because one of them burned dinner, and that night when your group is ambushed by goblins your cleric still refuses to heal your warrior because he’s pissed at him. Then since your warrior is dead, your party has to venture into a tavern and impress the biggest guy in there so he’ll say yes when you ask him to join up with you.

KitchAnn Style

the quarter continues February 2, 2008

It’s been a really productive week. My storyline has really developed content wise and I’m working on quests, sidequests, items, monsters and the endgame. I’ve done a good job keeping my level design class paralleled to the narrative one, and I began building my temple in the Oblivion CS earlier this weekend. I want to populate one version with normal stuff, and then go through and construct a destroyed nightmare version with blood red lighting and creepy symbols on the walls. I’ve had a lot of fun creating custom models/textures in 3ds and then importing them into the CS. In all of my previous classes I would build a random object and then have nothing to do with it, but now while I’m building it I’m thinking about its location and size and texture in relation to the rest of the level. I like taking the next step up.

My boyfriend bought FF 12 and has been playing it nonstop. The graphics are cool as hell but the idea of buying gambits (cure silenced ally, attack foe leader) from merchants seems silly and unrealistic. What would people say during a transaction like that? “I’m looking for a way to heal my party members when their health is below 30%. Can you help me out?” “Sure, I’ll sell you a piece of paper for 50 gil that gives you permission.” “Right, thanks.”

I made cheesy hash brown potatoes last night and they were spectac.