Wii - The Modern Approach to Running a Slide Show

The Nintendo Wii is normally brought for its gaming abilities, but it has far more features that are often under utilized. This article examines how the Wii can be used for a slide show/ multimedia presentation.

If you are about my age you no doubt have suffered through the old slide show night. Whether it was an enjoyable experience depended on very much on the presenter and if the slides at all remotely interested you. I for one subjected numerous people to the experience. However my slides are now obsolete and you would struggle to even locate a slide projector to play them on, even if you wanted to buy one. But why would you bother. With the digital age having taken over photography, most people now have their snap shots saved on their computer and print out only their best. The Wii has a channel for submitting your photos so that they can play on your T.V. - which is particularly good if you have a large plasma or LCD. You can have it running in the background to give your home a family feel.

As for the old slide shows, gone is the need of closing all the binds or waiting for it to get dark like you had to with the old slide shows, no chasing down a project screen. Now you can have a slide show at any time of day thanks to your Wii and play it on your own T.V.

The application goes beyond just family photos - presentations, business proposals, advertising, marketing and much more can be presented via the Wii. The only limits are your own creativity.

In fact if you take advantage of Wii download sites you can even turn your Wii into your own video duke box. Download your favourite music videos, clips, etc and run your own MTV. Throw out the old stereo and make your parties rock fully utilizing the surround sound system of your TV.

http://nintendo-wii-fanatic.blogspot.com - for more Wii stuff, downloads and more

This article is the property of Alastair HARRIS and his immediate family. It may be freely republished over the internet but must include original links.

AP - A shooting that left two students dead at the University of Central Arkansas did not appear to be random, authorities said Monday as the school's president pronounced the campus secure.

Music Therapy - Changing Lives For the Better

If you're a music lover looking for a career that is completely off the beaten path, music therapy just might be right for you. Music therapy, a relatively new method of therapy in the eyes of modern medicine, is an ancient practice. Since 1944, it has gradually been practiced more extensively in the United States. In the United Kingdom, music therapy was used in hospitals during both world wars.

Music therapy dates back to the ninth century. In particular, the work of music theorist al-Farabi and his treatise entitled "Meanings of the Intellect" laid the foundations for the modern form of the practice. Robert Burton also wrote about the positive effects of music and dance on the condition of the soul in his work, "Anatomy of Melancholy." Both of these writers used modern methods of describing very ancient ideas to form the basis of the therapeutic methods used today.

In the United States, music therapy is governed by the American Music Therapy Association, which provides certification for aspiring practitioners. Though certification is not required, it definitely gives a therapist much more credibility. The AMTA gives different levels of certificates depending on completion of various studies. For example, a bachelor's certificate enables someone to work together with other therapeutic disciplines such as speech therapy. Music therapists often have degrees in other disciplines as well. In New York State, practitioners must be registered and licensed as a creative arts therapist by passing a standardized test administered by the state. Lesley University in Massachusetts and Temple University in Pennsylvania offer degrees in the practice.

In the United Kingdom, music therapy developed from pioneering works by several different people. French cellist Juliet Alvin influenced the discipline in the 1960's, and in the decade before, Paul Nordoff and Clive Robbins provided foundations for the future. In fact, the Nordoff-Robbins approach is used in sessions all over the world. The Nordoff-Robbins headquarters in London provides the only official PhD course in the practice. Therapists in the UK focus on the learning disabilities of children and adults, as well as forensic psychiatry and palliative care. There are master's programs available in the UK as well.

Music therapy has been shown to improve motor skills, spiritual awareness and social skills. It also helps mood disorders and depression. In particular, it can improve a patient's motivation and outlook on life by completely revitalizing a stagnant soul. Just as a great song can set your day right, successful music therapy can change a person's life.

Studies show that such therapy affects stroke victims in a drastic way. By causing positive emotions in victims, the therapy increases social interaction and motivation and causes a quick recovery from the effects of the stroke. Often, the music is combined with traditional therapy to increase positive results exponentially. Motor skills are recovered best when the therapy is used on a regular basis in conjunction with other methods.

Another aspect of music therapy lies in songwriting and listening, especially in the elderly. The concept of songwriting is discussed, and patients are encouraged to write their own songs as a treatment.

If you are interested in helping others and working with music, investigate the field of music therapy. While it is a relatively new concept to many, the practice of music as medicine is ancient in origin.

A free email newsletter on exciting piano chords and chord progressions from Duane Shinn is available free at "Exciting Piano Chords & Chord Progressions!"

AP - The Treasury Department will start doling out $125 billion to nine major banks this week to get credit flowing again, giving a lift to U.S. markets on rising confidence that the government's moves would stave off a protracted recession.

From Plumber to Superhero - Highlighting the Amazing Transformation of Nintendo's Mario

Mario is the superhero of the video gaming industry. Ever since teens began their initial love affair with arcade games, Mario's character has been adored. Other games transformed, disappeared, and were altogether forgotten, but there was something about the character of Mario that simply would not let the fans let go.

Still today, some 200 game appearances and 27 years later, Mario is the good luck charm for his video game creators. As such, the character has made cameo appearances in unrelated games, engaged in cart racing, sports, puzzles, fighting, and of course the continuous rescue of a beautiful princess.

Even as it would be impossible to mention each game that features the unsinkable plumber, highlighting the amazing transformation of Mario is a list of firsts and combines a cast of characters that have found a large fan base amongst the ranks of dedicated gamers and young weekend warriors alike.

Mario Character Highlights a World of Firsts

• Mario started out as a humble carpenter in the arcade classic "Donkey Kong." His name was JumpMan and with his telltale overall, cap, red boots, large nose and mustache, this is pretty much all he did. He debuted in 1981 and traversed the dangers of unfinished construction sites to rescue the lovely Pauline from dangerous Donkey Kong.
• In 1982, Mario is seen again in the only Nintendo game in which he was considered a villan: Donkey Kong Jr, the sequel to the extraordinarily popular Donkey Kong. In this game, Donkey Kong Jr. is tasked with rescuing his father from Mario, who has imprisoned Donkey Kong.
• In 1983, Mario is promoted to plumber. This job has stuck with him ever since. In this year he also became a big brother to Luigi. It is not until 1985 and "Super Mario Bros." that he becomes a hero in his own right and is given dominion over the Mushroom Kingdom where he is considered a superhero. His enemy is Bowser, a cross between a trutle and a dragon and a villain who has kidnapped Princess Toadstool. Mario is charged to return her safe and sound, though she always somehow ends up being in another castle.
• This is the first time that Mario moved from simply arcade style games to the Nintendo platform. The Guinness Book of World Records reports that the 1989 edition of "Super Mario Bros." is the best selling video game ever, recording a staggering 40 million copies sold worldwide; an amazing feat for the unassuming plumber from the Mushroom Kingdom.

This phenomenal success inspired the makers of Mario to have the popular character appear in a host of unrelated games either as an icon, a non-playable character, or an Easter egg character, as well as nearly every printable and electronic surface that was marketed to children including lunchboxes, television shows, action figures, and more.

In 1989 Mario made his debut on Game Boy. The game is "Super Mario Land" and instead of the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario now lives in Sarasaland; the villain is Tatanga, and the princess is named Daisy, not Toadstool. Incidentally, "Super Mario Land" catapulted to the number three spot of best selling games with a total of 18 million copies crossing store counters and into the hands of eager fans.

With the advance of Super Nintendo, Mario made the move to this platform as well. The 1993 "Super Mario World" game once again pits Mario against Bowser in an effort to save Princess Toadstool. For the first time Mario now adds the spin jump to his repertoire. One of the most delightful characters of the series, the adorable dinosaur Yoshi, is introduced. This widely popular game showcased the power of the 16-bit SNES platform over its predecessor, the Nintendo Entertainment System.

Mario reappears in 1996 on the Nintendo 64 platform. The game is aptly named "Super Mario 64." It is the very first 3D appearance that Mario will make, and fans were awed. Once again Princess Toadstool - this time renamed Princess Peach -- is in need of rescue, and the evil Bowser is the villain. Although not as commercially successful as other Mario games, this 3D game is known today as the best selling game on the Nintendo 64 platform with an astonishing 12 million copies sold. Used copies of Super Mario 64 still sell well on the open internet market.

The World of Mario and His Friends

Mario relies on a cast of characters that have added to the immense popularity of this game. As his first and foremost occupation is the rescue of perennial damsel in distress, Princess Toadstool (later known as Princess Peach), she is worth mentioning first. Her usual role simply requires her to be kidnapped by the evil Bowser and then allow Mario to chase after the both of them. Like Mario, she is one of the most recognizable characters of the game and even has made cameo appearances in other games, much like Mario and later on also Yoshi.

She received her very own spin off game, "Super Princess Peach," in which the tables are turned and she must rescue Mario from Bowser. Designed for Nintendo DS, it is not a widely popular game, although its "E" rating makes it a favorite for parents looking for a safe, fun game for youngsters.

Already touched upon, Yoshi is the dinosaur which initially provides transportation to Mario. As both Mario and Yoshi's character's develop, they work as a team to vanquish their foes and find the one-ups that offer them advantages in the game. First seen in NES titles like 'Yoshi' and 'Yoshis Cookie' and later on in the ever-popular "Super Mario World" designed fro the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, this character amassed such a huge fan base.

In the 1995 release of "Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island" for Super Nintendo Entertainment System and also Game Boy Advance, players control Yoshi himself and also a host of other Yoshi characters. Mario himself appears as a baby in this game and factors only tangentially into the game play.

Luigi is the sidekick and brother to Mario. Although his roles are decidedly smaller than those of Mario, he has his own 2001 spin off game in "Luigi's Mansion," in which he must unlock a series of worlds in order to save Mario from King Boo. Released for the Nintendo Gamecube platform, it ranks as fifth in the list of bestselling games for the Gamecube.

A helper to both Mario and Luigi is Toad. At home in the Mushroom Kingdom he became a playable character in "Super Mario Bros. 2;" generally he is little more than an assistant who provides the place where Mario or Luigi can save the game process. Not surprisingly, he too received a spin off game called "Wario's Woods" which is a mix between Tetris and an action game. This game falls into the puzzle genre and is available on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, regular Nintendo Entertainment System, Virtual Console, and Satellaview platforms.

Bowser is the enemy of Mario and the Mushroom Kingdom. He looks like a cross between turtle and dinosaur. Ruler of the Koopas, he tirelessly sends his minions against Mario and his friends and kidnaps Princess Toadstool or Peach. This action generally initiates the game play.

Donkey Kong is the original apelike enemy of Mario. The latter is arguably a spin off game character from the widely successful arcade game, and once Mario's popularity surpassed that of Donkey Kong, the ape was relegated to playing second fiddle, making occasional guest appearances in other Mario games. He has since reemerged and been given his own series.

Wario is another Mario adversary but did not appear until 1992 when he was introduced in "Super Mario 2: 6 Golden Coins" to Game Boy aficionados. Wario is the polar opposite to Mario and actually has a striking visual resemblance to the character. On a side note, Luigi has his own doppelganger in the form of Waluigi who is brother to Wario. Also afforded a series of spin off games, Wario becomes a playable character in the 1994 Nintendo Game Boy favorite "Super Mario Land 3: Wario Land." From there the games that are designed with this character in a starring role are copious.

A play on this imagery is found in the 2002 Nintendo Game Cube release of "Super Mario Sunshine" in which a graffiti spreading anti hero named Shadow Mario leaves his telltale signature all over Isle Delfino. Because of the outward likeness to Mario, the latter is charged with undoing the graffiti that now mars the buildings.

Mario Now and In The Future

There is little doubt that Mario is one of the most popular and easily recognizable video game characters ever. Spawning an amazing number of spin off games and spanning a variety of platforms, this is one of the most versatile offerings the video game industry has offered thus far. The year 2008 has already shown the release of five titles: "Mario Kart," "Super Smash Bros. Brawl," "Dr. Mario Online Rx," "Mario Super Sluggers," and "Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars." All of these games are available on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and also Wii Virtual Console.

An enigma among games, Mario and his cohorts are characters that transcend age and gender barriers, and players from all ages enjoy the various platforms and game releases. At this point in time there is not end in sight to the popularity of Mario, and gamers are heartily glad for the character's projected future longevity.

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Bloomberg - Oct. 27 (Bloomberg) -- Barack Obama and John McCain standwatch outside a music and movies store in Bridgeport, WestVirginia. The life-size cutouts seem almost life-like; sometimesObama is in front, other times it's McCain.

Computer History

The computer history of software dates back to the late 1940s and early 1950s, when the United States government funded several command and control systems for the military. Computer systems have come a long way since then.

Do you know that until the early 1980s, programmers did not have PCs and had to sign up for computer time? Programs were coded on paper, captured onto punched cards, input into the card reader, compiled and the results came back on the printer.

Once a program was compiled successfully, a script was coded and a job was run by operational staff. The technology continues to evolve to improve functionality and quality to users. Now it is used in some form in almost every field of human activity.

The Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California is a public benefit organization which preserves stories on the information age. The museum is dedicated to the preservation and social impact of the computing industry. It is home to software, computer graphics systems, internet and networking.

The museum is working to preserve information about the companies, people and events that shaped the evolution of this vital industry; and has a very active program to conduct oral histories, collect historical source materials and publish articles. The collection includes photos, films, videos, documents, advertising and marketing materials.

There are Speaker series, seminars and oral histories. The Software Industry Special Interest Group (SI SIG) is responsible for this effort, and was acquired by the museum. You can be a part of the effort to preserve software industry history by visiting the web site and using the Contact Us button.

I hope you enjoyed the walk down memory lane.

History of computer software
Computer History Museum

AFP - Prince Harry has begun a tough selection process in an attempt to become a helicopter pilot with the army, his official residence Clarence House said Monday.