Here is my avatar. The fish stand for pisces, my Greek astrological symbol, and yes, the Cheshire Cat is on my head.		This is Alice, based off of a different version of Lewis Caroll's creation. Once again, Cheshire has managed to appear on her head.

 Willow's Wiki Page

November 3, 2008

 

     My name is Willow. Some of my computer strengths are typing and...well...not much else. One of the reasons I'm good at typing is that I write a LOT of stories. I originally used to write them then type them up, but now I usually type them to begin with. I might not type exactly correct, but I can type fairly fast when I want to. I also guess I'm not too bad at surfing the web (or "interwebs", as one of my friends likes to call it). Do computer games count as computer skills? I don't know.

     There are MANY things I would like to learn how to use on the computer, but here are my top two:

1. I'd like to learn how to use computer graphics. It's actually a separate class in Adrian Schools. Occording to them, "it's not computer skills, it's art."

2. I'd like, no, I'd REALLY like to learn how to use Windows Movie Maker. WITH music included. My friend figured out how, but she never really managed to explain to me how to use it.

 

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Computer Programs and Catagories 

 

 Presentation: Microsoft PowerPoint

 

Word Processing: Microsoft Publisher; Microsoft Word

 

Drawing: Paint; Tux Paint

 

Media: Windows Movie Maker, Windows Media Player, iTunes

 

Random: Scratch

 

Spread Sheet: Microsoft Excel

 

Games: Zoo Tycoon 2; Age of Mythology; Oregon Trail

 

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Prefixes

 

• Bit
• Byte
• Kilo
• Mega
• Giga
• Tera

 

 

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 Internet Hoaxes

November 17, 2008

 

Today we worked on evaluating websites. We were given a list of them to choose from, all were fakes. We didn't know that. The first one I chose was Dog Island. It was so obviously a hoax, it was almost creepy. You want to check it out? Go to www.thedogisland.com . After that, check it out on www.snopes.com . It is a great website to check out information in emails or on websites. The second website was about "Burmese Mountain Dogs". I thought it was real. It's amazing how many people you can fool with some realistic information and a couple pictures of some German Shepherds. Don't even get me started about the "Endangered Tree Octopus"....

 

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Greeting Card Assignment

 

     The first thing I used for my handmade card was a piece of paper. For the actual drawing and writing, I began with a pencil. Later on I would recolor them with colored pencils. I did not think that this way was too difficult. My only problem was thinking of what to say and who to send it to.

     To make the computer version of my card, the first thing I did was type in the needed text. I then chose a font, color, and size for the words. The main programs used were Microsoft Publisher and Paint.  I then chose pictures from Clip Art for my card. This was quite easy, because I had in mind the fact that we might make our cards in a computer form after the original card. The last thing I did was create my logo on Paint. Not as hard as it looks. I found this easier than the handmade card. The only problem I had was when I did not insert my logo properly.

     Two pros for the computer card are easier ways to get pictures and neater letters. Two cons are that not everyone has a computer and not everyone has a printer. Two pros for the handmade card are DEFINITE originality and sometimes more meaningful. Two cons are that it can end badly if you can't draw and is not always the quickest choice.

     I believe that the handmade card took the longest because it is harder to draw and color then to find a picture on Clip Art. I think I preferred the computer version because I enjoy using different fonts and finding pictures in Clip Art. (NOT that I can't draw. I just can only draw a few things) I tend to use this method unless it is REALLY last minute.

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Website Reviews

December 8, 2008

 

Today we are choosing which websites we are going to review. I have decided to review neondragonart.com 

 

December 10, 2008

 

The website I chose to do a review on is called www.neondragonart.com . I discovered this site around two or three years ago when one of my friends recommended it to me. I would like to let you know right away that this is probably one of the best websites I have been to for fantasy artwork. It is very easy to read and to navigate. One of the first things will notice is the artist’s artwork is even on the homepage. It has integrated without making the pictures distracting or getting in the way of anything. All of the pictures featured on the website have no glaring flaws or glitches.

One of the next things you may notice is there are no annoying, talking, or flashing ads for companies that are sponsors of the site. This is one of the unique things about this website. The main purpose of this website is for the artist to display her artwork, but it also has a few tutorials which give you instructions on how to draw and a page that sells the merchandise that features some of the artist’s works. Although it is not one of a kind, it is one of the more “user friendly” ones. It is effective in its purpose, but if you are looking for a large varieties of mediums used or artists, I would recommend using a website such as DeviantArt. Also, the content makes sense and is easy to read, along with using proper grammar.

The group of people who this site is directed towards is mostly people who enjoy fantasy and maybe science fiction. I would say that generally kids around ten or so and up would get the most out of this website. The comic section I would recommend for kids eleven and up. Some of the highlights of the website are the art gallery and the comics. Parents might want to check over the artwork just in case they find anything they consider inappropriate. In my opinion, there is nothing inappropriate and I have been using this website for quite some time now.

The author of this site is Jessica Peffer. “Neondragon” is her online name. She has recently graduated from the Columbus College of Art and Design. In my opinion, this makes her a legitimate artist. She is also an artist for a living. She has also published two drawing books that are available for purchase. I have them both and highly recommend them for anyone interested in drawing fantasy oriented characters or animals.