Lab 13

http://gaymer.org/

Threads:
Gaymer and I are featured in an article about game homophobia! (http://www.gaymer.org/newforum/index.php?showtopic=24968)

There is a moderator for this forum. They are discussing an article in which game homophobia was discussed. The founder of Gaymer.org is quoted in this article and discusses how gamers don’t have the option to play a gay character and that the gaming industry is primarily heterosexual. The comments are mostly positive, congratulating that gaymer.org was quoted in the article and for standing up for the gaymer community. There is no debate or argument, besides the article itself.

Happy Birthday to Gaymer (http://www.gaymer.org/newforum/index.php?showtopic=1243)

The founder of the website, known as name “gaymer” is the moderator and the admin for the forum. He discusses how gaymer.org is one year old and how and why he created the site. Users comment that they enjoy the community and that is kind of a gayming “home.” Many discussed how they felt so comfortable there and that everyone was friendly.

I got banned because I’m gay (http://www.gaymer.org/newforum/index.php?showtopic=21649)

There is no moderator, the person who started the thread is actually a guest. He discusses how he got banned from site because he mentioned that he was a gay player. He immediately got dismissed from the site for a reason that is not true. Then, another guests replies pretty much making fun of him and saying “GTFO punk, you can’t be on CX!” another guests posts that it is likely that he got banned because of his attitude and not his sexuality but the person who was banned seems to disagree. They argue for a while. Another gaymer says that homophobes will be everywhere but that his attitude is unacceptable and that he agrees that he should’ve been banned. Others agree and the forum ends.

Lab 12

Kelly:
Console game: Super Mario Kart, can be classified as a “racing game” because you maneuver cars through an obstacle course, the publisher was Nitendo, 3 other games in same genre by Nitendo: “Cruisin’ USA”, “Diddy Kong Racing”, “Nascar 2000”
Mobile: Spider Solitaire, “card game” genre, publisher: “AstraWare Solitare”, 3 games: “free cell”, “klondikes”, “pyramid”
Online: Counter-strike, “MMORPG ACTION genre” because it is a massive multi-player role playing game involving war action, Publisher: Valve, 3 games: “battlefield 2: complete collection”, “operation flash point: dragon rising”, “NBA 2K10”

Bre:
Console: Wii Sports, “fitness genre” because it encourages the user /player to be active and promote sports, publisher: Nitendo, 3 other games: “Wii Fit”, “My Fitness Coach”, “Jillian Michael’s Fitness Ultimatium 2009”
Mobile: Paper Toss, “entertainment” because it does not require any particular skill, it is merely for fun!, publisher: Backflip Studios, 3 games: “Ragdoll Blaster”, “Paper Toss:World Tour”, “Harbor Havoc”
Online: Text Twist, “puzzle and board game” genre because it is a time consuming, challenging game that requires you to tease your brain!, publisher: gamehouse, 3 games: bejeweled 2, little shop memories, burger shop 2

Stephanie:
Console: Call of Duty 4, “action/historical/war-time” genre because it incorporates all three of these subjects, publisher: Activision Publishing, Inc., 3 games: Call of duty 1-3
Mobile: Hangman (iPhone), “puzzle/board game” genre because ” it is a time consuming, challenging game that requires you to tease your brain! (like Text Twist!), publisher: MobilityWare, 3 games: Pyramid, Match-it, Apple Tree
Online: Jewel Quest, “puzzle/board game” ” genre because it is a time consuming, challenging game that requires you to tease your brain!, publisher: IWIN from Flash Games, 3 games: alphabets room excaspe, oligarchy, blockular

Rose:
Console: UFC Unleashed, “fighting” genre because it promoted the ‘sport’ UFC, publisher: THQ, 3 games: WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010, Streetfighter 4, WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2007
Mobile: Tap Tap Revenge 2, “entertainment genre” because…, publisher: Tapulous, 3 games: tap tap revenge, tap tap revenge 3, Christmas with Weezer
Online: Red Remover, “puzzle/board” ” genre because it is a time consuming, challenging game that requires you to tease your brain!, publisher: Gaz, 3 games: super stacker 2, that’s all!

Report:
Networking was possible, especially on the Xbox and the Wii, but we did not participate in networking while playing our console games.
The mobile system was quick, easy, and portable, unlike the online and console games.
Wii Sports was the most active gaming experience, unlike other games, particularly online and mobile gaming. Puzzle and entertainment games are enjoyable for when you’re either bored or seeking a good brain teaser. Mobile games are the most accessible and convenient to use because you can play them in class, on the go, etc. Whereas online and console games require being stationary.

Lab 10

Part I: 3 sources for free, legal music that can be downloaded onto an iPod Touch:

1. Ringtone Source: http://www.mytinyphone.com/ringtones/country/
Song: Big Green Tractor
Artist: Jason Aldean

2. "New Music" Source: http://www.ilike.com/
Song: Good Girls Go Bad
Artist: A N G E L E V O

3. "Public Domain Music" Source: iTunes (WAS free)
Song: Symphony No. 9
Artist: Beethoven


Part II: 3 free streaming music sites concerning women’s music and can be listened to on an iPod Touch:

1. Source #1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z04r_tlWdRs
Song: Something to Talk About
Artist: Bonnie Raitt

2. Source #2: http://www.theinsider.com/videos/1020880_Underneath_Video_by_Alanis_Morissette#
Song: Underneath
Artist: Alanis Morissette

3. Source #3: Lastfm.com
Song: Christmas in America
Artist: Melissa Etheridge

Lab 9

LAB 9
Shakira (Pop Latino):
Pandora

1. Te Llevare Al Cielo by Mana
2. Say It Right by Nelly Furtado
3. Te Aviso Te Anuncio by Shakira
4. Labios Compartidos by Mana
5. Poker Face by Lady Gaga

Last FM

1. La Oreja de Van Gogh by Rosas
2. Say It Right by Nelly Furtado
3. Nada puede cambiarme by Paulina Rubio
4. Volverte A Ver by Juanes
5. Canela by Fey

When typing in “Shakira,” The recommendations on Pandora and Last FM are very similar probably because we were attempting to find Pop Latino music on American sites. There might not be much of a variety for this type of music on these sites. The same song, “Say It Right” by Nelly Furtado was chosen on both sites.

George Strait (Country):
Pandora

1. George Strait – Ocean Front Property
2. Brooks and Dunn – Neon Moon
3. Alan Jackson – Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow
4. Garth Brooks – Friends In Low Places
5. Tracy Lawrence - Alibis

Last FM

1. George Strait – Check Yes Or No
2. Mark Chesnutt – She Was
3. John Michael Montgomery – The Little Girl
4. Tracy Lawrence – I See It Now
5. Brooks and Dunn – Neon Moon

Juanes (Rock Latino):
Pandora

1. Juanes – La Camisa Negra
2. Shakria – Estoy Aqui
3. Mana - Si No Te Hubieras Ido
4. Bacilos – Caraluna
5. Juanes – Nada

LastFM

1. Juanes – Que Pasa
2. Reik – Noviembre sin ti
3. Julieta Vengas – Andar conmigo
4. Bacilos – Caraluna
5. Fonseca - Arroyito

Both of these sites offered similar results for each of the artists. They were both consistent and reliable, providing other songs that had a relevant theme or genre.

The Go-Go's (punk/rock):
Pandora

1. Pat Benatar “Love is a Battlefield”
2. Blondie “Call Me”
3. Duran Duran “Hungry Like The Wolf”
4. Belinda Carlisle “Mad About You”
5. The Go-Go’s “Tonite”

Last FM

1. Animotion “Obsession"
2. Romeo Void “Never Say Never"
3. Altered Images “Insects”
4. Belinda Carlisle “Heaven Is A Place On Earth”
5. The Romantics “What I Like About You”

On Pandora you can say what you do and do not like, and you can create various playlist stations, and you can also purchase the music. On LastFM I feel like they just gave you a wide variety of artists, but you couldn’t personalize them a lot. However, they do give you the option to share the track, tag the track, or purchase it. LastFM offers similar options, but you have to have the patience to learn about the sites options.

Pandora gave me a bunch of artist suggestions that were popular and I already knew. I am not a big Go-Go’s fan per-say, but I recognized all of the artists, and I liked the music the site suggested. If you just want to create a fun playlist of your favorite bands/genres, this is a good site to use.

LastFM gave me an interesting variety of choices. Many of these artists I had not heard of, but when I listened to them I liked their suggestions for the most part. I appreciate that they showed me music I wouldn’t normally have found. If you want to discover new or less-known artists, this might be a better option.

Beyonce (Pop):
Pandora

1. Irreplaceable (Beyonce)
2. Miss Independent (Ne-Yo)
3. Obsessed (Mariah Carey)
4. Bootylicious (Destiny’s chilid)
5. Naughty Girl (Beyonce)

Last FM

1. If I were a boy (Beyonce)
2. Pon de Replay (Rihanna)
3. Obvious (Le Toya)
4. Comeback (Kelly Rowland)
5. Emotion (Destiny’s Child)

Searching the artist Beyonce on Pandora and Last FM brought back meaningful results. On Pandora I was suggested two songs from beyonce herself, “irreplaceable” and “naughty girl”. Also three other female artist were suggested, all which are considered to be R&B or hip hop, but all the songs of the artist would be considered hip hop. The other three artists were Ne-Yo with “Miss Independent”, Mariah Carey with “Obsessed”, and Destiny’s Child with “Bootylicious”.

On Last FM my search for beyonce only contained on song from her, which was “If I were a boy”. The other four suggestions were all R&B artist and all females. The only difference in the suggestions from Last FM was one of the suggested artist was highly known in the U.S. but is from another country, making her an international artist, this artist was Rihanna with “Pon de Replay”. The other three artists were Kelly Rowland with “Comback”, and two others which are related. Destiny’s child with “Emotion”, and Le Toya with “Obvious”, who was originally a member of destiny’s child.

Lil Wayne (Rap):
Pandora

1. Mr. Carter- Lil Wayne
2. Rubber Band Man – T.I.
3. Swagga Like Us – Jay-Z & T.I.
4. Lollipop Remix – Nicki Minaj & Lil Wayne
5. Pussy, Money, Weed – Lil Wayne

Last.FM

1. Bust It Baby Part 2 (feat. Neyo) –Plies
2. Cali Love – Tyga
3. S.A.N.T.A.N.A. – Juelz Santana
4. Long Lap Dance – T-Pain
5. Dope Boy- Gorilla Zoe

“Personalization Options” Comparison:

Pandora allowed the listener to adjust volume, pause, or forward their music to the next recommended song. I felt like Pandora was lot more “beginner friendly” because it displayed a clean, organized layout. It also featured the ability to create a new station, share music/stations with friends, edit your current station, like or dislike a song, purchase and/or bookmark a song, explore music through your mobile phone or a video series, and read about the artist and/or type of music you were listening to.
Last.FM featured a lot of the same personalization options as Pandora, such as the ability to start a new station, like or dislike a song, forward to the next recommended song, adjust the music volume, share, tag, or buy a track that you were interested in, and research artists and their music. However, Last. FM did a more extensive job at listing artists, stations, and events related to the music station the listener created. Last.FM also allowed users to post comments and/or slideshows about certain tracks. I felt that one could not use Last.FM without any previous experience with “internet radio”.

“Recommendations under LIL WAYNE” Comparison:

Pandora’s recommendations consisted of more mainstream music and repeated a lot of the same artists, including the searched artist (Lil Wayne) himself. Last.FM, however, suggested a lot of off-the-wall artists and songs that I had never heard of before. It seems like Pandora matched a lot of popular music with my artist search whereas Last.FM dug into a deeper, “less well-known” song and artist library. I think it would depend on the listener’s personal preference as to whether or not he or she would like to hear the artist(s) they searched for and related popular songs or whether they would wish to explore a variety of different and less popular artists and songs.