Famagusta

I recently went on a visit to the Northern side of Cyprus, which is under Turkish Occupation following the invasion back in the 70's. The Island is now divided into two, but a neutral stretch of land called the green line which is held by the UN to seperate the Greeks from the Turks. As it is a Neutral piece of land it has been left completely un-touched since the invasion. On arriving in Famagusta we took a trip to a beach which is right on the edge of the green line. As you can see from the photos below there is a one mile stretch of derolict city which was abandoned during the war and just left to rot. It was fasanating being able to get so close to a war zone, then turn 180 degrees and almost be in paradise with golden sand a clear blue waters, definatly an experience!

Motorola City

I have recently been looking for a new mobile phone to buy, which brought this site to my attention while I was brousing thefwa.com.

Motorola have created a site which uses a 3d city to showcase situations where emergency services use motorola public safety solutions.

This is the opening image once the site has buffered. It is an image of a virtual city, and contains moving images of cars, smoke and trees blowing in the wind. It gives you the option of being able to click on different parts of the city, once you have clicked on a part of the city the camera zooms into the part you have selected and into a building.

This is a part of the city called evacuation. The website is simulating an evacuation from the city sports stadium. It is highlighting the roles Motorola could play if this situation were to arise.

I found this website very intresting, and found myself exploring it for some time. I would definatly recommend it and it's definatly worth checking out!

www.motorolacity.soulpolice.com

Back In Cyprus

I returned home to Cyprus a couple of days ago just in time to enjoy the heat wave thats just about to hit the country. I took a trip to the beach today to take some photos and put them on my blog, obviously not to make anyone else jealous.

Final avatar

This is my final edit of my avatar animation.

First Finished Avatars

I have completed the first two versions of my Avatar. I decided to make two different versions after researching what I thought was the best idea for my avatar. The first idea was a dancefloor style environment, as my main intrest in life in music. I animated the speakers in the room as if music was playing, and an image of myself moving in time with the speakers. I also included several photos of myself and friends, which led me to my second idea for my avatar.

Here is the second version of my Avatar, I have not fully completed this animation, and need to work on the animation, which I plan to do over the weekend. Once I have completed my animation I will then come to a desicion on which one to hand in for my final project. I got the inspiration for this animation from my first project. I created a tunnel of photos which reprasent my life, I have included pictures of myself and friends from over the past 4-5 years. I have also included photos of my girlfriend and parents. In this animation I have used lighting effects, and have also included flags from the countries I was raised and lived in. The animation ends with an arial shot of Basel City, which was the most memorable place I have lived in, and have spent most time in.

Second Life

Today I continued with my second life. I have now explored the entire city and visited all the shops and nightclubs the site has to offer. 

I have also discovered and interracted with users who make money using Vside, either from advertising or selling virtual merchandise such as clothes. I will provide screen shots when I log in on my own laptop. All shops have shop owners, who you can interract with on entering the shop. They will provide information on costs and the latest goods available.

Second life

This is a screen shot of my avatar visiting a bar in the virtual city.

Second Life

Today I continued with my second life diary. I explored more of the Virtual City and spent more time interracting with other users.

I discovered that within Vside, you can visit shops and purchse new clothes for your avatar.

To be able to speak with other users, they must accept your friend request.

I will keep you updated within the next few days when i continue to explore the city.