Category: Tech News

Creating your own game might sound intimidating, but don’t let that stop you from trying. One of the best parts about creating your own indie game is that there are lots of programs and tools available for you. Knowing about these tools can help you be successful in creating your game.

Pick Good Software Tools

The first place to start is in selecting your software. The type of software you use is highly dependent on the type of game you want to create. If you are looking to create a text-based game, you might want to look into software programs like Quest or Twine. Stencyl on the other hand is great for non-text-based games. There are even programs that are specific to creating RPG games. In addition to the type of game you are making, you also need to be mindful of budget. Fortunately, some programs are free.  

Use Free Assets

One of the benefits of making your own game is you have total creative control. You can create anything you want. However, that doesn’t mean you need to create everything from scratch. Using 3D assets is a great way to create the world of your game without having to make everything yourself. Under certain circumstances, you can access 3D assets on Unity or Unreal Engine. Some platforms offer free access to assets. Do some research to find platforms that work for you.

Learn the Language

When creating your own game, you will likely need to learn some sort of coding language. Many of these languages are already associated with the software you will be using. Understanding the coding language can help you create the game without much outside help and you can understand the inner workings of the game. This will also come in handy when you need to make any fixes after the game has been launched. There are a variety of coding languages ranging from the basic HTML5 to the more complex C#. Make sure you are aware of what language your program is using and do your best to learn it enough to efficiently design your game.

Creating your own indie game is an exciting endeavor, but it does come along with its own challenges. If you make yourself aware of the proper tools though, you can easily overcome these challenges. Do some research about the best programs and tools available to you as you design your game.

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It is no secret that technology is becoming a major selling point in most industries. The convenience of a device that can do everything you could ever want is much more desirable to people. For instance, personal finance has changed dramatically in the last decade, making everything more convenient and accessible to more people.

Democratized Stock Trading

Stock trading is a great example of this change. Instead of the wealthy elites primarily having access to the stock market, the Internet and mobile apps have opened the stock market to anyone. The markets are shifting, and more working-class and middle-class families are investing in the stock of companies they enjoy.

Apps that have given this “power to the people” have many different names. One is aptly named Robinhood. While this provides the market with extra money, it also opens people up to scams if they are not careful. Some apps will have small classes people can pay for to better understand how the stock market operates, bringing more wealth to more people.

Mobile Banking

Mobile banking has also shifted the financial dynamics. Millennials number 73 million in the United States, and they favor mobile banking options. This push isn’t unique to the younger generations, however. People of all ages want access to their accounts and financial resources no matter where they are.

This expectation of digital banking has brought with it more pressure for traditional banks to adapt or fall. While you may need to visit your local bank for specific needs, people just don’t need to visit them to do basic transactions like they used to. Mobile banking is just more convenient and useful in the moment.

Cryptocurrency’s Rise

There is no doubt that the rise of mobile apps has also fueled the idea of cryptocurrency. People have been talking about “digital money” over the last decade, but it has now become a reality. Bitcoin has surged in popularity and is easy to access for more people. It is basically a kind of stock that a lot of people are buying into because of its digital appeal.

But Bitcoin isn’t alone. There is a growing number of cryptocurrencies hitting the digital market. This trend will likely become more popular with time, but it is hard to say what the ramifications of its development will have on the world.

Mobile apps are shaping finance as we know it. They will likely continue in their aim to make the individual’s life easier. It is a great thing for everyone.

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What once was considered to be fantasy is now very real. 3D printing technology has improved in leaps and bounds over the last several years. Each year, discoveries are made that enable us to 3D print even more things. One exciting area of development has been in the realm of 3D printing houses. This new technology can provide so many benefits to mankind.

Lower Costs

The cost of a home has been growing rapidly for decades. This makes it more and more difficult for people to be able to afford a home that meets their wants and needs. However, with 3D printed homes, much of the manual labor is removed from the cost of building a home. This will lower the cost of housing. With lower housing costs, the poorest parts of society will be able to save more of their money to spend on other important items. Overall, this can bring about a massive positive change for our country’s economy.

More Customization

Previously, the idea was that you could make houses faster and cheaper if you just made them all the same, or at least, mostly the same. This allowed construction companies to train workers on just a few different setups and then send them to work doing the same tasks repeatedly on each house in a new development. However, with 3D printed technology, that will no longer be necessary. You don’t have to spend hours training a 3D printer on each new job. You just need to upload a new design. This only takes a few milliseconds. This can allow homebuyers to custom design their homes to their own desires.

Cut Construction Times

One of the worst parts about building your own home is the time that it takes to complete it. Many people avoid building their own home for this very reason. They can’t afford to build a home without selling their current home, and they can’t afford to live in a rental or hotel until their new home is finished. With 3D printing, the construction time for homes can be significantly reduced. 3D printers do not need to go to the bathroom, take breaks, eat food, or sleep. They don’t even get tired! As long as an operator is around to observe the operation of the 3D printer, the printer can work around the clock 24/7.

Add to Existing Homes

Building additions to current homes can be a bit of a pain. However, with 3D printers, this could become a relatively easy process. There are many things that you could do. You could build a guest house. You could build a garden fence. You might be able to print to order a deck for your home with your ideal features. There truly are so many possibilities for home additions when you use 3D printing. The best part about it would be the speed and low manpower at which it would be done. While we are grateful for the work that builders perform, no one likes having builders traipsing through their house while trying to complete a project.

Stronger Designs

An interesting aspect of 3D printers is that they allow us to manufacture certain designs that would otherwise be impossible. It also allows some current designs to be constructed as one whole rather than a bunch of different pieces attached by bolts, nails, and screws. This has revolutionized the way that some things are built. These design changes have led to building components that are both stronger and lighter. In fact, not only are some 3D printed concrete walls lighter and stronger, but many are also better at providing thermal insulation than conventional concrete walls. This all goes a long way to making your home safer and more efficient.

Lower Carbon Footprint

Because of the previously mentioned improvements in construction design. 3D printed homes use less concrete than an identical home built from conventional methods. Concrete production is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. By using 3D printing to construct homes, you can reduce the amount of concrete that you use. This will in turn reduce the carbon footprint of your home. This technology is one of the great innovations that not only makes our lives more convenient, but it does so while benefiting the environment instead of hurting it.

Less Waste

When you see a home being built by conventional methods, you’ll notice that there are usually several large dumpsters nearby. That is because building a home generally involves a lot of waste. There is excess concrete, excess wood, excess fastenings, and so much more. With 3D printing, there isn’t the same problem. The 3D printer doesn’t need to throw away scraps because it doesn’t cut things to fit. It simply makes things that fit perfectly. 3D printer technology can also accurately measure how much material is needed for a job. This will allow the machine operators to prepare only the material that is necessary to get the job done.

Job Changes

One of the great concerns about automated technology is that it will harm the blue collar workers. However, this isn’t necessarily true. 3D printing homes is not going to eliminate the need for workers, it is simply going to change the tasks that they perform. It is going to take a lot of work to set up and take down the printers. There needs to be operators for the machinery. There also needs to be people that work on the designs of the homes and so many other things. Furthermore, 3D printers can’t do everything. They can’t lay wires or install plumbing. They also can’t do the finishing touches like painting, tiling, carpeting, and drywall. There will still be a lot of work for others to perform.

So, if you get the chance to have your home built by a 3D printer, don’t shy away from this futuristic technology. Choosing to use the 3D printer technology could result in your home being built faster, better, cheaper, and more customizable than other alternative options. That is a big win-win for everyone.

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The internet of things otherwise known as IoT refers to smart technology like cell phones, vehicles, electronic appliances, and many other smart devices that connect to a wireless network.  The continued development of IoT is intended to make everyday tasks easier and more automatic. With the evolution and our use of technology we will see IoT changing not only the world we live in, but our day to day lives.

Households

The emergence of new IoT will impact households. We have already seen how smart devices can turn on and off our lights while telling us the next day’s weather. Imagine your house being fully automated, adjusting the temperature and locks for windows and doors based on the sensors that you are not home. Appliances will do household work for you like monitoring the food stores in your refrigerator then creating and placing a grocery order for you.

Wireless connections, data analytics, and technology continues to get faster and more reliable. A smart home will help conserve energy and utility costs all while customizing the home directly to your preferences.

The Economy

Like the concept of running a smart home, IoT can impact our economy for good. As the world moves to more automated technology, the ability to save money also increases. By 2035, connected devices will generate up to $11 trillion of value. These devices will work together to help conserve energy and make sound projections based on supply and demand of all other connected devices. The connection of these devices has the chance to promote a thriving economy with extremely high confidence ratios.

Travel

Integration of IoT will also affect our ability to travel. Transportation systems moving to green energy will help our environment. Driverless cars will also cut commute time down for work or travel. With fully automated cars, there will be no room for human error or distractions which will result in less accidents and congestion. Time spent traveling can instead be used for productive or relaxation purposes leading to a more satisfied individual. Even the concept of airplane travel has endless possibilities for comfort and safety improvements.

The Internet of Things has endless possibilities for how it can fully automate and improve our way of life. We have already seen significant changes since the internet became readily available.  IoT will continue to affect our homes, our work and how we travel as computerized systems connect and advance.

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Some postsecondary educators may consider technology as a distraction in the classroom. They might sometimes view mobile phones and technology as a necessary evil. But rather than tolerating it, educators can harness the power of digital devices and use technology to increase engagement, spark innovation, encourage collaboration and enhance student learning.

In itself, educational technology may not be effective in teaching and learning. Thus, it may require guidance from an educator and a purpose, especially related to the curriculum. The advantage of technology is that it may be effortlessly integrated into the course material. When used with purpose, education can be transformed from a distraction to a useful teaching tool.

Ability to Learn on Your Own Time

Unlike the traditional classroom, students who are struggling with new concepts may fall behind. With online assignments, however, students can advance at their own pace. For instance, those who need extra help can take their time and practice outside the class with additional coursework and guided exercises. This feature is also essential for learners who may want more challenge.

The always-on nature of technology allows students to access resources online on-demand and from anywhere. The educators can use the platforms to gauge which student might require extra help. The self-paced learning also helps students acquire digital skills and become technology literate. These additional skills will be valuable in the workforce, especially in the medical field. If you’re interested in the medical field, there are several health industry careers made available through online education.

Better Research and Information Sources

As long as they have an internet connection, students have access to information 24 hours a day. A student can find almost anything online, and he or she can gain access to essential data for research in its most updated version. For students, technology means access to everything in any discipline or research area. They can access research materials and educational apps, open resources from leading universities and interactive edutainment systems.

Although technology offers an endless pool of resources, students may require instructions on how to find credible and relevant resources. Additionally, students may need directions on how to provide attribution to these resources properly. Students can use technology to connect with online groups and virtual communities in real-time.

Improved Student Engagement

Education technology can assist in making learning in a specific field interactive and collaborative. This can help students better interact with the course material. The interaction will eliminate the need for students to memorize facts aimlessly but, rather, learn by doing. A student can do this by participating in tech-enabled or online group discussions, such as virtual labs, and virtual field trips and playing educational games.

For this online platform to be truly engaging and collaborative, it should be interactive. Animating a math challenge introduces a new perspective compared to using a pencil and paper. The interactivity in online platforms provides a better learning experience.

Although technology has been viewed as a threat, integrating it into teaching will offer new approaches for student engagement and interaction with the course material. Thanks to technology, education can be accessed from anywhere other than being confined to the walls of a classroom.

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Ever since the advent of Photoshop over 25 years ago, the creative worker’s role and responsibilities have changed vastly in the job marketplace. In the past 10 years, powerful and portable technology has further changed the daily workflow of the creative worker along with everyone else. With possibilities opening in the digital marketplace for everything from completely new positions to the need for creative workers in traditionally coding-based positions, there are a number of careers for creatives to choose from.

Front-End Development

This type of position is especially suited for graphic/web designers. When developing any kind of new app, whether online or housed on a device, most programmers tend to make functionality based on the given instructions from stakeholders, but they also tend to do it in a way that makes sense to them. This does not always translate out well to the end user, and this is where the creative worker’s advantage comes in. In front-end development, it is the duty of the developer to create an intuitive, user-friendly interface and to lay out both the functionality and organization of data for the app. This requires a high level of design training and emotional intelligence in order to do well.

Video Game Development

Whether working in pre-game visual development or in live game graphics creation, there is a wide array of possibilities in the video game industry, an ever-growing and profitable market. Game designers use a variety of programs on the job, giving developers diverse expertise. Digital visualization tools allow for smooth pre-production work, while skinning characters and backgrounds is a creatives-only requirement for successful game production and execution.

Education-Based Web Development/Graphic Design

One industry might appeal to the more altruistic, socially responsible creatives. While there aren’t as many openings in the field, web and graphic design for educational institutions is that industry. This field has its own challenges, such as unusually small marketing/communications teams and sometimes tight budgetary restraints, but the actual work itself is usually rewarding in a non-commercial manner, with the opportunity to build a long-term body of work over time. Additionally, creatives may find a little more final authority on the look and feel of the final products created (for both the web and printed materials). While pay is not necessarily always as competitive as it is in the private sector, the job security and benefits can be much more valuable in the long run.

One of the biggest advantages that creatives have in the technology industry is that the skills developed in creative arts classes, whether soft skills like critical thinking and emotional intelligence or hard skills like composition, color theory, music theory or design theory, are in shorter supply in the field of technology than traditional coders, and are not always as easy to master as the hard science of coding and development. Learning both the creative and technological sides of the industry makes one a more valuable and versatile worker.

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As in other areas of life, technology has made traveling easier than ever. In the past, one often needed to rely on a travel agent’s wisdom to ensure smooth a smooth journey—and even then, any number of things might go wrong. Technology has enabled the modern traveler to take a more hands-on approach to travel. Millennials, unsurprisingly, have embraced the increased flexibility technology affords, but these developments will benefit anyone desiring both a less stressful and more adventurous journey. Here are just a few ways technology is making travel easier than ever before.

Ease of Research

Gone are the days of relying on a travel agent for the low-down on travel spots. Nowadays, all one needs is a browser. More importantly, the quantity and quality of available information are unprecedented. A multitude of websites feature testimonials and advice from seasoned trekkers about where to stay and what to do. Many sites cater to niche interests and are especially useful for those looking to avoid touristy destinations.

Choosing Where You Stay

Likewise, vacationers are spoiled for choice when it comes to places to stay. Booking your stay has never been easier. No longer tied to motels and hotels or staying with friends and relatives, with the help of apps like Airbnb, VRBO, and Couchsurfing, one can stay in off-the-grid places like hostels and private houses. Such options are perfect for those traveling on a budget, or who want the experience of staying in local neighborhoods, or who like the convenience of having amenities such as a kitchen or washing machine. Vacation rental earnings are expected to grow over the next few years, so one can expect no shortage of places to stay both nationally and internationally.

Getting Places

Web mapping services like Google Maps offer not just the maps of old but also real-time condition reports. They assist in navigating not just streets and terrain but also unpredictable local conditions such as traffic and weather. In the past, often one could end up stuck or even stranded in an unfamiliar setting. Now, the intrepid nomad can easily bypass potential misfortune with but a quick glance at their smartphone.

Translation

One of the most overlooked travel boons afforded by technology must be translation apps. In the past, when staying in a foreign locale for any substantial length of time, you might need a language course prior. Or at the very least, have a phrasebook at the ready. Neither option guaranteed being understood by the locals, particularly when encountering local dialects. Today, your smartphone can launch increasingly powerful translation apps. They do everything from translating street signs to real-time voice translations. Best of all, many are free.

Electronic Payments

Digital wallets and electronic payments are another overlooked advance. Granted, in the past, traveler’s checks ensured a degree of safety. They were refundable if lost or stolen. However, digital wallets provide an even greater measure of safety as the user’s credit card and other information are encrypted–thus useless to a would-be thief. It also provides convenience. An e-wallet can be linked to multiple funding sources, including credit cards, checking and online payment platforms like PayPal. Finally, e-wallet money transfer apps can handle currency conversions on the fly. No need to worry about obscure currency exchange rates that can fluctuate widely. Digital wallets offer a flexibility that traveler’s checks can never match.

Lighter Suitcase

When the iPod and smartphone arrived in the 2000s, they set off a revolution in how we consume media. Their small form factor played a sizable role in their immediate adoption, and nomads quickly grew to appreciate the extra space now present when packing for an extended trip. Instead of making room for a camera, MP3 player or books, today a single device stores all of this media and more. Packing may still be an art, but these devices free up a lot of space.

Digital Photography and the Cloud

Digital photography enabled novice shutterbugs to learn their craft without worrying about the cost of film. Today, even casual photographers can take great-looking photographs with their smartphones given recent hardware and software advances. A tourist can document an entire trip with their smartphone and not have to worry about expensive and delicate camera gear. As onboard memory becomes full, all one needs is an internet connection to back up these precious snaps. Cloud storage services have become ubiquitous and many are cheap or even free. Some, like Google Photo and Flickr, cater to amateur and professional photographers alike, offering vast storage plans and built-in filter apps. Best of all, the traveler can archive their photos throughout the journey.

Keeping in Touch

In years past, conferring with family and friends back home could be a frustrating proposition. Phone calls could be prohibitively expensive—if indeed a phone could even be found in some locales. Likewise, letters and postcards might take days and weeks to reach their intended recipients. Nowadays, communication is decidedly cheaper and easier. Social media sites like Facebook and Instagram allow for frequent, instantaneous status reports. Telecommunication applications such as Skype enable the traveler to call family at a far cheaper per-minute rate than previously. In fact, given a decent internet connection, Skype and other services allow the vacationer to view and hear far-away loved ones. Keeping in touch has never been more stress-free.

Technological advances have made travel undeniably easier. However, as these examples illustrate, tech has had another, perhaps more subtle effect. Explorers can now personalize their travel experience to an unprecedented degree. Thanks to the internet, off-the-beaten-track destinations are no longer tightly held secrets. Likewise, smart tech means that travelers can revise itineraries on the fly in the midst of their journey. If time and resources permit, a tourist might decide on a whim to travel to an unplanned locale, armed with a knowledge of what to expect. Meanwhile, the traveler can fully–and attractively–document the experience from beginning to end. Next-generation technology, in short, has provided unparalleled options for trekkers.

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Surgery continues to move further into the age of robotics and other technological methods of making surgery safer and with less risk for the patient. Noninvasive brain and other surgeries, as well as virtual surgery, are becoming more common with fewer lives lost. New inventions can be implanted into the body of a person who has cancer that will tell the doctor how the cancer-fighting medications are faring and which ones are actually doing the job they are meant to do, which is to kill the cancer cells. It is becoming more likely that the next time you have surgery you will not have to undergo invasive treatment to fight your disease.

Simulated Surgery

Many people like video games, but did you know that they are also being used to improve surgical procedures? Making a game of surgery has become increasingly popular and has been helping to save lives. With the use of graphics and virtual reality, surgeons are able to practice new and/or unfamiliar surgeries without fear of harming the patient. These methods are not unlike playing the games that the surgeon quite possibly grew up on or even play now. The surgery in question is programmed as closely as possible to the actual surgery along with mistakes that could happen programmed as well. If the surgeon does option one then this will be the outcome. It gives the surgeon a chance to learn before putting scalpel to the skin and therefore potentially saving a life before the surgery begins.

Someday simulated surgery could be used for all surgeries, but for now, it is most effective for those difficult or delicate procedures due to cost. Surgeries on the brain, eyes and facial reconstruction are some of the most widely tested surgeries via simulation. These are all very complex surgeries, so the fact that doctors can practice these surgeries beforehand is very helpful for their training.

Alternative Methods

Almost any alternative to going under the knife is preferred by both patient and physician. Laparoscopy has been found to perform surgery with safer results, less fear of infection, and faster recuperation. Not only that, but it is also less expensive to perform and for the patient in the long run. Orthopedists are finding that acupuncture and chiropractor visits for shoulder and other skeletal surgery can benefit the patient with less pain with often the same results. Stem cells are being used to restore delicate joint tissue in rotator cuffs and other areas with degenerative disease.

An alternative to weight loss surgery called CoolSculpting breaks down fat cells. Its spot freezes the fat in problem areas with cryolipolysis. CoolSculpting can be used in delicate areas such as chin and jawline as well as common areas of surgical reduction like tummy, hips, and thighs. This non-invasive method of killing fat cells can transform your body without surgery, and the dead cells will leave your system after several months’ time.

Huggable Robots for Kids

Gauging a child’s pain can be difficult, especially when they are too young to express what’s going on with them. Huggable is a cuddly bear with robot insides. This squeezable invention eases pain in children and adults, making hospital stays and illness easier to handle. Playing with Huggable can take a child’s mind off of pain or being away from home. When a child is hurting, the strength with which she hugs Huggable is captured and data translates into how much pain she is in. Kids can talk to Huggable and perhaps say things they wouldn’t say to their parents or the medical staff. Huggable can talk back, and the conversations are collected and help the doctor in further diagnosing and treating the child’s illness. Huggable is also available for use with a screen, and some kids might prefer that to the cuddly stuffed version.

Adults like to hug Huggable as well, but they also use him for company or for having someone to talk to when they’re lonely or for playing games. Adults often cannot express their fears and pain just as children cannot. Huggable can be used for patients with Alzheimer’s disease or other diseases that have caused speech and cognitive difficulties. Huggable can take them back to their childhood and, as with kids, can be a comfort in a scary place.

So much of technology seems to be from another world, and that is not apt to change. The more we learn about human beings and technology; the more inventions are being created to help bridge the gap between the two. Invasive surgery is not the only way. Patients heal better with less pain and less intrusion into their bodies. It is becoming possible for science and humanity to coexist.

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