<p><strong>What is skeuomorphic user interface design?</strong></p>
<p>By definition a skeuomorph is a derivative object that is designed in such a way as to retain the structure of the original object. As such skeuomorphs tend to feature purely decorative elements that are made to resemble the design or structure of elements that were essential in the original. They can be physical objects but they also have a major role in user interface design, which is getting more and more pronounced with the so-called "post-PC" devices such as the iPad. Apple is very much at the forefront of the Skeuomorphic user interface design approach having made QuickTime 4.0 resemble an actual consumer electronics product over a decade ago complete with a brushed metal look. A storied example from the time was the implementation of a dial to adjust volume just like on a Walkman, for example. This works well when holding a Walkman in the palm of your hand but looses practicality when using a mouse on a GUI. Another great example of skeuomorphic user interface desig
n is with the virtual keyboard of the iPad which features bumps on the F and J keys. These bumps obviously can't be felt when fingering an iPad so have no practical purpose.</p>
<p><strong>What are examples of successful skeuomorphic UI design?</strong></p>
<p>The resurgence of skeuomorphic user interface design as a UI design paradigm owes a lot to the introduction of the iPhone. Native apps such as Notes and Voice recorder all sport skeuomorphic UI designs with the former resembling a notepad and the latter looking like a vintage microphone with an old-school volume dial rather than LED volume meters that are used in modern audio recording equipment. This skeuomorphic user interface design approach is proving to be particularly en vogue amongst audio applications. Jonas Eriksson's 76 Synthesizer features knobs and audio cords that can be inserted into polished brass slots. Just a screenshot of the user interface design makes you want to start playing around with it and lets you know you'll be manipulating sounds. Korg's iMS-20 iPad application (a recreation of the (physical) MS-20 synthesizer) is the same but even includes a musical keyboard and modulation wheel. Admittedly the user interface design is busy and might be overwh
elming for the average user but musicians who have used a similar synthesizer should be able to pick up the iPad app and create right away. The same can't be said about traditional audio workstations where they would have to learn what and where their options are. The same can be said of the Djay app which looks like an actual mixing deck.</p>
<p><strong>What are some pitfalls of skeuomorphic user interface design?</strong></p>
<p>Skeuomorphic user interface designs work well with multi-touch interfaces of tablets which take advantage of our evolution as a species by working intuitively. On the desktop where the input devices are invariably the mouse (or trackpad of some kind) paired with a keyboard the situation becomes a bit more problematic. Previously I mentioned how a volume dial on a computer screen just simply doesn't work as well as on a Walkman in the palm of your hand. The latest iteration of Mac OS X, Lion, features a couple controversial skeuomorphic user interface designs in the shape of the new iCal and Address Book applications. According to Kaishinlab there are 5 major things to look out for when creating skeuomorphic user interface designs:</p>
<strong>Potential False Affordance:</strong> Since skeuomorphic UI designs mimic real world objects users will be inclined to expect that they work accordingly. The new Address Book in Lion looks like an actual book but you can't go through your contacts by turning pages. This discrepancy is bound to cause frustration. This is the UI design version of Tennis' unforced error.
<strong>Visual Noise:</strong> Filling a user interface design with more and more detail might make it more visually interesting but this all adds to the traffic or noise of a UI design. In the end it is just more user interface design elements crying out for attention. The faux stitching in iCal has no added value and even if it weren't there users would not all of a sudden not realize that they are dealing with a calendar app!
<strong>Functional Limitations:</strong> Creating skeuomorphic user interface designs imposes limits due to the fact that you are trying to mimic a distinct look. The new Address Book does away with the practical three-pane user interface design for a new UI design that shows less information and is more cumbersome to use simply because the user interface design team at Apple thought their app would look cuter if it looked like an actual book.
<strong>User Disorientation & Alienation:</strong> This is tied to potential false affordance as users who are used to a standard way of operating a user interface design have to come to grips with alien interactions.
<p>In other words skeuomorphic user interface design is a growing trend but UI designers need to make sure that aesthetics do not trump usability.</p><br><br><br><br><a href="http://iautoblog.com">iAutoblog</a> the premier <a href="http://iautoblog.com">autoblogger</a> software
Wednesday, 31 July 2013
Tuesday, 2 July 2013
Significance of DJ equipment
<p>Disk Jockeys aka DJs are renowned worldwide for their music capabilities in night clubs, discos, parties or any musical events. These professionals are known for playing popular conventional songs of various genres in more creative way to add spice and to keep people grooving to their tunes. DJing involves amending beats and base of songs, and at times it also involves clubbing two or more songs to bring more life into parties. DJing requires lot of expertise and other DJ equipment to ensure efficient sound mixing and good sound system along with creativity and understanding crowd behavior.</p>
<p>The most basic DJ gear is efficient sound system, headphones, sound mixers and even turntables nowadays. Turntables have gained significance in the past few years due to the distinctive sound made via scratching. Scratching can make any dull song live and ensure people groove on the floor. Various turntable kinds are available with appreciably distinctive features, though, from all the turntables, direct drive is considered the best turntable. Depending upon how records are rotated and read, turntables are selected by DJ. It is imperative for a DJ to ensure that all his equipments are functioning efficiently before the crowd starts visiting the venue.</p>
<p>Other than Turntables the second most imperative DJ equipment is sound mixer. Sound mixers are specially designed devices that allow DJs to control the tempo of songs by adjusting Bass, Treble, sound control, etc. This device is one of the necessities of DJing. For live music amendments, sound mixers are necessary. CD player, Mp3 players and other equivalent devices can be treated as alternate of DJ Gear but such devices don't allow any amendments and adjustments in the songs. Sound mixers can be attached with various external devices like sound system, headphones and other devices quite conveniently.</p>
<p>No DJ gear can be complete without headphones or headsets. It is one of the most essentials tools for DJs as it helps DJ to evade external nuisance and listen to minor details of the song. DJ headphones usually come with microphones that DJ often uses to make announcements and ask feedbacks from the crowd to keep them involved. Efficient speakers are also essential for every DJ to keep crowd enticed. Speakers should be selected on the basis of the capacity of crowd and room dimensions to ensure sufficient sound in every corner of the venue. Quality of all DJ equipment has to be superior to keep the masses captivated.</p>
<p>It is imperative for a DJ to buy only authentic and reliable sound DJ gear to become a successful DJ. It is not that DJ equipments are only useful for DJs, if a person owns their own club, restaurant, hotels or often organizes such events, DJ equipment is very useful for them as well. It will significantly help them slash their event organizing expenses. There are several companies prevailing in the market that deal in DJ equipments; therefore it is imperative that one should buy DJ gear only from reputed and reliable dealers to ensure superior quality and best deals.</p><br><br><br><br><a href="http://iautoblog.com">iAutoblog</a> the premier <a href="http://iautoblog.com">autoblogger</a> software
<p>The most basic DJ gear is efficient sound system, headphones, sound mixers and even turntables nowadays. Turntables have gained significance in the past few years due to the distinctive sound made via scratching. Scratching can make any dull song live and ensure people groove on the floor. Various turntable kinds are available with appreciably distinctive features, though, from all the turntables, direct drive is considered the best turntable. Depending upon how records are rotated and read, turntables are selected by DJ. It is imperative for a DJ to ensure that all his equipments are functioning efficiently before the crowd starts visiting the venue.</p>
<p>Other than Turntables the second most imperative DJ equipment is sound mixer. Sound mixers are specially designed devices that allow DJs to control the tempo of songs by adjusting Bass, Treble, sound control, etc. This device is one of the necessities of DJing. For live music amendments, sound mixers are necessary. CD player, Mp3 players and other equivalent devices can be treated as alternate of DJ Gear but such devices don't allow any amendments and adjustments in the songs. Sound mixers can be attached with various external devices like sound system, headphones and other devices quite conveniently.</p>
<p>No DJ gear can be complete without headphones or headsets. It is one of the most essentials tools for DJs as it helps DJ to evade external nuisance and listen to minor details of the song. DJ headphones usually come with microphones that DJ often uses to make announcements and ask feedbacks from the crowd to keep them involved. Efficient speakers are also essential for every DJ to keep crowd enticed. Speakers should be selected on the basis of the capacity of crowd and room dimensions to ensure sufficient sound in every corner of the venue. Quality of all DJ equipment has to be superior to keep the masses captivated.</p>
<p>It is imperative for a DJ to buy only authentic and reliable sound DJ gear to become a successful DJ. It is not that DJ equipments are only useful for DJs, if a person owns their own club, restaurant, hotels or often organizes such events, DJ equipment is very useful for them as well. It will significantly help them slash their event organizing expenses. There are several companies prevailing in the market that deal in DJ equipments; therefore it is imperative that one should buy DJ gear only from reputed and reliable dealers to ensure superior quality and best deals.</p><br><br><br><br><a href="http://iautoblog.com">iAutoblog</a> the premier <a href="http://iautoblog.com">autoblogger</a> software
Monday, 1 July 2013
Learn To DJ the Digital DJ Music System Way
<p>What is A DJ?</p>
<p>A DJ is a Disk Jockey is a professional who knows what music to play for a specific event, how to program (set-lists) good sets of songs one right after another, and knows how to transition smoothly from one song to another using crossfading or beat mixing. People playing iPods through computer speakers are calling themselves DJ's nowadays. Unfortunately the industry is being saturated by wanna-be DJ's trying to make a few bucks who are not investing in the proper training and equipment.</p>
<p>The Love Of Music.</p>
<p>If you are new to the industry but really love all types of music, you're off to a great start. However appreciating music and knowing how to mix on decent equipment are two completely separate animals. Anyone can appreciate and play songs on an iPod but an effective DJ will have a wide variety of music, reliable equipment, and needs to have to have the ability to musically format a party. Many people who want to learn to DJ are unaware of other important components.</p>
<p>Where to Start.</p>
<p>If someone made the decision to learn to DJ, they probably have decent knowledge of music and already maintain a large database of music for their iPods/iPads or laptop hard drives There are basically 3 ways to play that music (in audio file format) that is already owed. The music can be burned onto a CD and played via a CD deck and CD deck controller, the music can be played directly through a laptop with DJ software, or the files can be played through DJ laptop software with the use of an external mixing controller to manipulate the files.</p>
<p>The Advantages of a Digital DJ Music System.</p>
<p>Any one of these options will be sufficient, but the digital DJ music system (no CD's, a device that plays audio files like a laptop or physical media player) seems to be becoming most popular. Carrying a pocket sized 500gig external hard drive is much easier to carry than 2 heavy cases of CD's. Another advantage of playing on a digital DJ music system is having the ability to find a song within seconds instead of manually sifting through CD's to find specific songs.</p>
<p>Mixing and Cuing Songs</p>
<p>Once a DJ chooses the music system to play the audio files through, a mixer must be purchased. The music/media player will connect to the mixer. The mixer will allow the DJ to control the volume of the 2 channels from the player. Most DJ mixers will also have a slider to transition from one song to another. It is also important to have headphones and the ability to cue songs (listen to songs in headphones and while not going through the speakers).</p>
<p>Cuing a song is crucial to knowing the right song has been selected and is also important to use for beat mixing music. While beat mixing, a DJ will have one song playing through the speakers, will cue up a second song in the second channel, listen and match the beat of the new song in the headphones, and then raise the main volume on the track. There is nothing more exhilarating than pounding a great mix, even for the pros!</p>
<p>DJ Speakers Made For A DJ</p>
<p>Out of the mixer will generally run XLR cables into speakers. If an unpowered mixer is purchased, the DJ will have to run the cables through a powered amp to power passive speakers or the cables can be run directly into powered/active speakers. Most DJ's use an unpowered mixer that runs cables to powered speakers. This allows for easier set-up and seem to punch better lower frequencies. When looking for speakers for your DJ system or digital DJ music system, purchase standard sizes like 10", 12" and 15". If a DJ intends on DJ'ing smaller events, 12" speakers would work just fine.</p>
<p>Mixing Techniques and Set List Resources</p>
<p>The DJ system or Digital DJ Music System that is chosen is only half of the learning curve when learning to be a DJ. The other half is being confident in mixing the right songs at the right times. One issue that DJ's run into is trying to find set-lists of particular songs to play at events. DJ's play at house parties, birthday parties, barbeque's, kids parties, sweet 16's, bar-bat mitzvahs, holiday parties, company parties, class reunions, clubs, and weddings. It becomes overwhelming trying to figure out what to play and when to play it when faced with DJ'ing different events. Searching online can also leave new DJs scratching their heads with the amount of overwhelming information searched. The key is finding a good DJ resource site that offers suggestions on set-lists for all types of parties.</p>
<p>Making Money as a DJ</p>
<p>DJ'ing is exciting especially when a client hands the DJ 4 hundred dollar bills after playing music for a few hours at a party. Sometimes it just doesn't make sense to get paid. DJ's get paid to do what they love to do. Most DJ's have full time jobs during the week and can make hundreds if not thousands of dollars a weekend, even as a hobby. If making money is something a DJ wants to consider, the DJ's skills and/or packages they offer will determine how much they can charge as a DJ. Learning the proper skills is important and there are resources available to teach even the novice DJ how to DJ like a pro. One site that offers training is DJ Masterminds and should be considered if serious about kickin some butt in the industry and impressing friends.</p>
<p>Time To Start DJ'ing</p>
<p>The most important thing a DJ must do is to keep learning. Learning about new songs, mixes, set-lists, and equipment give DJ's the confidence necessary to kick some tail at all of their events. One huge mistake new DJ's make is not getting their feet wet. The first few parties may have mistakes (the guests may not even notice). Making mistakes is all part of the learning curve.</p>
<p>Successful people in general got the point of success by failing a lot. Successful DJ's are successful because they DJ'ed parties, got some good practicing done, and got better. Without getting out there and practicing at real parties, experience can't be earned. Just do it. Some words of encouragement..... Who cares if a DJ messes up! If the DJ is DJ'ing for friends and family, messing up is fun. If the DJ is DJ'ing at an event, the DJ will most likely NEVER see these guests again. It's a win-win.</p>
<p>Final Words on How to Learn To DJ</p>
<p>Develop a budget for equipment and songs, get ideas for DJ equipment from reputable sources, find websites that offer training and ideas for set -lists and mixes for different events, tell friends and family about the new business, and have a blast!</p><br><br><br><br><a href="http://iautoblog.com">iAutoblog</a> the premier <a href="http://iautoblog.com">autoblogger</a> software
<p>A DJ is a Disk Jockey is a professional who knows what music to play for a specific event, how to program (set-lists) good sets of songs one right after another, and knows how to transition smoothly from one song to another using crossfading or beat mixing. People playing iPods through computer speakers are calling themselves DJ's nowadays. Unfortunately the industry is being saturated by wanna-be DJ's trying to make a few bucks who are not investing in the proper training and equipment.</p>
<p>The Love Of Music.</p>
<p>If you are new to the industry but really love all types of music, you're off to a great start. However appreciating music and knowing how to mix on decent equipment are two completely separate animals. Anyone can appreciate and play songs on an iPod but an effective DJ will have a wide variety of music, reliable equipment, and needs to have to have the ability to musically format a party. Many people who want to learn to DJ are unaware of other important components.</p>
<p>Where to Start.</p>
<p>If someone made the decision to learn to DJ, they probably have decent knowledge of music and already maintain a large database of music for their iPods/iPads or laptop hard drives There are basically 3 ways to play that music (in audio file format) that is already owed. The music can be burned onto a CD and played via a CD deck and CD deck controller, the music can be played directly through a laptop with DJ software, or the files can be played through DJ laptop software with the use of an external mixing controller to manipulate the files.</p>
<p>The Advantages of a Digital DJ Music System.</p>
<p>Any one of these options will be sufficient, but the digital DJ music system (no CD's, a device that plays audio files like a laptop or physical media player) seems to be becoming most popular. Carrying a pocket sized 500gig external hard drive is much easier to carry than 2 heavy cases of CD's. Another advantage of playing on a digital DJ music system is having the ability to find a song within seconds instead of manually sifting through CD's to find specific songs.</p>
<p>Mixing and Cuing Songs</p>
<p>Once a DJ chooses the music system to play the audio files through, a mixer must be purchased. The music/media player will connect to the mixer. The mixer will allow the DJ to control the volume of the 2 channels from the player. Most DJ mixers will also have a slider to transition from one song to another. It is also important to have headphones and the ability to cue songs (listen to songs in headphones and while not going through the speakers).</p>
<p>Cuing a song is crucial to knowing the right song has been selected and is also important to use for beat mixing music. While beat mixing, a DJ will have one song playing through the speakers, will cue up a second song in the second channel, listen and match the beat of the new song in the headphones, and then raise the main volume on the track. There is nothing more exhilarating than pounding a great mix, even for the pros!</p>
<p>DJ Speakers Made For A DJ</p>
<p>Out of the mixer will generally run XLR cables into speakers. If an unpowered mixer is purchased, the DJ will have to run the cables through a powered amp to power passive speakers or the cables can be run directly into powered/active speakers. Most DJ's use an unpowered mixer that runs cables to powered speakers. This allows for easier set-up and seem to punch better lower frequencies. When looking for speakers for your DJ system or digital DJ music system, purchase standard sizes like 10", 12" and 15". If a DJ intends on DJ'ing smaller events, 12" speakers would work just fine.</p>
<p>Mixing Techniques and Set List Resources</p>
<p>The DJ system or Digital DJ Music System that is chosen is only half of the learning curve when learning to be a DJ. The other half is being confident in mixing the right songs at the right times. One issue that DJ's run into is trying to find set-lists of particular songs to play at events. DJ's play at house parties, birthday parties, barbeque's, kids parties, sweet 16's, bar-bat mitzvahs, holiday parties, company parties, class reunions, clubs, and weddings. It becomes overwhelming trying to figure out what to play and when to play it when faced with DJ'ing different events. Searching online can also leave new DJs scratching their heads with the amount of overwhelming information searched. The key is finding a good DJ resource site that offers suggestions on set-lists for all types of parties.</p>
<p>Making Money as a DJ</p>
<p>DJ'ing is exciting especially when a client hands the DJ 4 hundred dollar bills after playing music for a few hours at a party. Sometimes it just doesn't make sense to get paid. DJ's get paid to do what they love to do. Most DJ's have full time jobs during the week and can make hundreds if not thousands of dollars a weekend, even as a hobby. If making money is something a DJ wants to consider, the DJ's skills and/or packages they offer will determine how much they can charge as a DJ. Learning the proper skills is important and there are resources available to teach even the novice DJ how to DJ like a pro. One site that offers training is DJ Masterminds and should be considered if serious about kickin some butt in the industry and impressing friends.</p>
<p>Time To Start DJ'ing</p>
<p>The most important thing a DJ must do is to keep learning. Learning about new songs, mixes, set-lists, and equipment give DJ's the confidence necessary to kick some tail at all of their events. One huge mistake new DJ's make is not getting their feet wet. The first few parties may have mistakes (the guests may not even notice). Making mistakes is all part of the learning curve.</p>
<p>Successful people in general got the point of success by failing a lot. Successful DJ's are successful because they DJ'ed parties, got some good practicing done, and got better. Without getting out there and practicing at real parties, experience can't be earned. Just do it. Some words of encouragement..... Who cares if a DJ messes up! If the DJ is DJ'ing for friends and family, messing up is fun. If the DJ is DJ'ing at an event, the DJ will most likely NEVER see these guests again. It's a win-win.</p>
<p>Final Words on How to Learn To DJ</p>
<p>Develop a budget for equipment and songs, get ideas for DJ equipment from reputable sources, find websites that offer training and ideas for set -lists and mixes for different events, tell friends and family about the new business, and have a blast!</p><br><br><br><br><a href="http://iautoblog.com">iAutoblog</a> the premier <a href="http://iautoblog.com">autoblogger</a> software
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)