Flirting with Disaster

While enjoying a cup of coffee at McConnell library at Radford University, I sat down to read a few articles in Wired magazine. One that really jumped out and maintained my attention was an article by Nadya Labi entitled "Flirting with Disaster" (or "An IM Infatuation Turned to Romance. Then the Truth Came Out" for you online readers).

The article focuses on an online relationship that focused primarily on a 45-year-old man and a "17-year-old girl". The man was posing as both a father and son, whereas the 17-year-old was falling in love with the son. Not to spoil anyone's read, but the relationship becomes one giant dramafest, ending in the man killing his competition that was flirting with the girl AND with the girl actually turning out to be the 45-year-old mother of the girl she was pretending to be.

This article is a great read mostly because it focuses on an issue with new media. On the Internet, how safe is it really to know who you are talking to? I know from previous experience that it is hard to really zero in on exactly who a person is.

Take myspace for example - millions of people login everyday to post bulletins, chat with friends, and to meet new people. Just for the record, how easy is it for one to be able to tell the other person is legit? I've taken some crazy steps in the past to "prove" if you will, that the identity is legit.

• Try to see if you have any common ground - common friends, family, associates, etc.
• Make them take a picture that only they could on the spot - lessens the fact of them stealing another photo from someone's page

Overall, this story really brings up an interesting topic. How safe is social networking? How can we protect ourselves against this? Why is it that people feel the need to pretend to be someone that they are not? Ah, the interesting subjects this brings up!

Castlevania - The Dracula X Chronicles

I just recently purchased a PSP off of a friend and to my joy - there is a Castlevania game being released this October.

Castlevania - The Dracula X Chronicles focuses on my favorite series of the chapter. The game will be a remake of the never before released "Rondo of Blood", which was a Japan exclusive Castlevania title. The coolest part about this release that it will include two nifty unlockables - the original Rondo of Blood and Symphany of the Night!

Rondo of Blood made an impact when it was released for the PC-Engine in Japan. It brought to life a new vision of the series, especially with the character Richter Belmont. Fans were delighted when this game was "coming" to the SNES. I was excited, especially because I was 10-years-old at the time and video games were a cornerstone of my entertainment. When Dracula X appeared in the states I was stoked. Others were not so much because Dracula X wasn't exactly direct port of Rondo of Blood - but rather an interpretation. The stages from what I've seen were redesigned. The music held strong through!

Symphany of the Night was a great release and probably the holy grail of the entire series. I remember getting the second edition of PSM magazine (which I still own by the way) and it covered this game in depth. I had to have it and the purchase came soon there after. The game was brilliant among other terms, combining side scrolling action, rpg elements, and a soundtrack that would stun even the greatest composer. Unfortunately that game has never been returned to me..... hint hint clue clue!

For your reading pleasure I've included a few links and the trailor that is floating around YouTube. The chronicles have me excited to say the least. October 23rd can't come fast enough!

• IGN coverage of the game
• 1up.com coverage of the game
• Highscore coverage
• The Castlevania Dungeon - the ultimate resource of Belmont gaming!
  

Tips for working at home

In this installment I will look at the benefits of working at home versus working at the office. For those of you that have been lucky to experience both are encouraged to give their feedback.

It is everyone's dream to be able to work their own hours, arrange the work schedule around their lives and not have to go into the office on a daily basis. For the past 4 years I have worked in various fields as a telecommuter. It has had its benefits but it also has a lot of headaches that are included in the package.

Working at the office entails a lot of experiences. You are in a team environment, dedicated solely to getting the job done while seeing that the company succeeds. You have a reason to leave the house and more reason to work your way through the ranks.

The Benefits of the Office

• Variety of people to interact with
• Resources available to you at little to no cost
• You can ask someone in the matter of seconds if you have a question
• Provides just enough change of routine so that you don't entirely hate your home
  

The Downside of the Office

• Constant interuptions - with more people equals more (and sometimes unwanted) communication
• Time away from friends and family - it can take a toll on you socially
• Staying at the office too much could result in increased stress and fatigue
  

Working from Home is breath of fresh air. You can choose the hours you work, complete other tasks while you work, and more.

For myself - working at home entails modulating my work. I can go to class, come home to knock out an hour of work, go back to class and repeat the process throughout the day. Another upside is if I get too frustrated with what I'm doing - I can release the frustration during a 10 min break. The best part about home - those breaks can include PS2!

The upsides of working at home:

• Save on traveling costs
  
• Work from the comfort of a couch, desk, or recliner
• Choose when you finish your work
• Complete work with less distractions
  

The downsides of working at home:

• You have to make sure your resources are up to speed
• You have to be an even greater master of time management
• You must steer clear of distractions at home when you finally decide to work
• Communication between coworkers and employees can become difficult
  

Midway through the week

The new schedule is a breath of fresh air. In a way it reminds me of how young I am and has in other ways awakened my zest again. I really want to get submerged in web development again. Time will only tell how this will all pan out.

Class so far is fairly easy. I wish I knew how much I had it made during my undergrad years. Easy days, easy work - no real responsibility.

Well, I'm now off to kill a pile of work which includes:

• Development of a web report/database interaction
• RU School of Communication Web Site
• Covers for a few guides for RU Athletics
• Mailing list program for RU Athletics
• and more!