blog-j: Symbolizing, Coding, Objectifying, Processing

Speaking tonight at the FlashinTO gathering at 8:30pm. Discussing a game we just built at work, and, more specifically, the ideas behind creating a game with the ability to switch views while playing (and multiple views in general).
Kevin Towes is also talking about a FlashComm project he recently worked on.
All in all, it should be an interesting night.

Get the full details @ Flashinto.com.

Generally, kids toys have warnings on them. You know, something along the lines of “for children aged 9 months and older,” or “contains small parts: not suitable for children under 3″ - things like that.

I think they need to update these warnings.

For example, they should include warnings like “if you have bad aim, don’t throw this toy at your spouse, as it may break their glasses.”

Yes, over the weekend, my wife tossed a toy to me (while I wasn’t looking), breaking my glasses and slightly gouging the inside of the bridge of my nose. It was an accident, so I harbor no ill will, but I am now walking around sans-glasses, with a major headache building.

For those of you that don’t know (and, I would guess, probably don’t care all that much), I’ve been wearing glasses for about 11 years, with no prescription changes in that time. My right eye requires no prescription, while my left eye requires a very minor one. Due to the slight discrepancy in vision between my eyes, if I don’t wear my glasses I get bad headaches. And staring at a computer monitor without the glasses sure doesn’t help.

heh. Good thing I’m going to the eye doctor tomorrow. I guess I’ll get pretty chummy with my Advil until then.

Brad Abrams, Lead Program Manager on the Common Language Runtime Team at Microsoft, has been running a series of internal lectures at Microsoft on the topic of “Designing .NET Class Libraries,” which they have made available online, both with video and lecture notes.

Definitely worth checking out, whether you’re a .NET fan or not. Say what you want about Microsoft, but they definitely don’t hire morons.

Have a look @ msdn.microsoft.com.

Guy Watson lists six reasons why you shouldn’t go to this year’s FlashintheCan, and two-and-a-half reasons to go. His main reason for suggesting you not come to Toronto for the festival: it’s cold.
I must be missing something. I’ve attended FlashintheCan since it’s inception 4 years ago, and have gotten a huge amount out of going. Admittedly, I live in Toronto - so I’m used to the cold. Regardless, the festival is an excellent one - the speakers are top notch, diverse and worth hearing and speaking to. My experience has always been that they are open to discussing the concepts of their talks, as well as practically anything you could think to ask them.
My top six reasons to come to FlashintheCan 2005?

1. The speakers are amazing. Shawn and the rest of the team have put together a great roster, and it promises to be an exceptional festival
2. For all Guy feels that the money isn’t worth it, FlashintheCan is one of the least expensive conferences.[Edit: And more than worth the price for the content - 3 full days of an incredible experience.]
3. Three tracks, covering Creative, Technical and Business aspects of the New Media industry and Flash. Yes - there are 4 or 5 talks going on at one time, but that gives you a huge amount of flexibility in terms of what you want to hear about.
4. Toronto. Great city to visit. Great city to live in.
5. You’re not making the conference organizer rich. You’re helping him plan future conferences that benefit you, the Interactive Designer/Developer.
6. Iron Flash. It just rocks.

Come on out to FlashintheCan 2005 - April 9-11, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. You won’t regret it.
Check out the official site @ fitc.ca.