Thursday 30 July 2009

Understanding 3d in 5 dimensions

A good way to understand 3D and animation is to look at a scene using the following five aspects. Understand how these work in any animation and the construction picture becomes clear.

Shape - What is the outline when viewed from all angles, how does the shape change over time ?
Size - What is the object size in relation to the environment and other shapes in the scene ?
Surface - What is on the surface and how does it handle the light ? Does the surface bend curve, grow stretch ?
Steps - Animation is movement. How does the movement break into steps ?
Space - What's in the the space around the object and how does it interact with its space ? What happens when the space around the object changes ?

Look at an animation or 3d scene using the definitions above. Study each aspect and separately and together and soon you will have insight.

Try it ...

Gannett

Wednesday 15 July 2009

What's broken with 118800 ?

I had an scare raising email about the new 118800 mobile directory service and problems that might arise. It was incorrect in a number of ways but lets start with this anyway ...

" THIS MAY SAVE YOU MONEY IN THE FUTURE. IT WILL STOP UNSOLICITED CALLS/TEXTS FROM ADVERTISERS (WHICH YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR TO RECEIVE IF YOU ARE ABROAD, FOR EXAMPLE!)

You may already have heard about this but early next week {11 July 2009} all UK mobiles will be on a directory which will mean that anyone will be able to access the numbers. { This is not what the service does } It’s easy to unsubscribe but it must be done before the beginning of next week to make sure that you are ex directory. You may want to suggest it to all your friends and family who have UK mobiles or they could be swamped by unsolicited messages and calls. Removal is recommended by the BBC.

How to remove your mobile number from the directory

To unsubscribe, you can either click on the ex directory button on the their web homepage , or you can text the letter 'E' to 118800 from the mobile phone you want to be made ex-directory. 118800 will send you an SMS message confirming you've been taken off. "

Going to the src we see on the service FAQ that might be lies but lets see.

"Will I get sales calls via 118 800?
We do not sell or pass data to any commercial organisations. So we think it’s unlikely you will receive many sales calls via our service. But we will monitor call patterns for any suspicious activity, investigate complaints thoroughly and de-list anyone we feel is abusing the service.
….
When someone is searching for me on 118800.co.uk, can they see any information about me?
No. All searches on 118800.co.uk are via our secure application that doesn’t show mobile numbers or names and addresses of individuals. Neither do we give prompts that could disclose personal information. We simply say whether we’ve found the individual and, if we have, we forward the enquirer's contact details. "

I would say that most unsolicited sales calls are made via random number diallers, some times from abroad, that will not be altered by either a new directory service or the TPS. A more likely problem with this service is when the directory information is insufficient information for the service to identify a person. I would not like to be the first “Jack Smith” or “Thomas Jones” listed for London.

Gannett