Artificial Intelligence, Art Meets Tech
Staff Researcher
VR Painting Software versus Traditional ...

In the last two years, more than a dozen Virtual Reality tools have emerged, offering artists a wide range of mediums to express their creativity. These VR platforms have allowed every type of artist to showcase their talents in the Metaverse. This article delves into an exploration and comparison of VR, 2D painting software applications, comparing their capabilities against traditional oil and acrylic painting techniques. If you are an artist considering investing in a headset for your artistic endeavors or simply choosing an app, this article will provide a comprehensive side-by-side comparison of these programs with their real-life counterparts.

VR Painting Software versus Traditional Painting -- What Wins?
Sustainability, Art Meets Tech
Hannah Brainard
Tools for Tracking Emissions in the Arts

As momentum grows around global climate goals, a number of arts organizations are taking a larger look at their environmental impacts and incorporating sustainability into their values and strategies. To simplify this process, a variety of industry-specific tools are available to estimate CO2e emissions in arts and culture. Julie’s Bicycle, Gallery Climate Coalition, and ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager emerged as widely used emissions calculators, because of their ease of use, established network to share and compare results, and in some cases, adoption by funders or regulatory bodies.

Tools for Tracking Emissions in the Arts
Artificial Intelligence, Art Meets Tech
Samantha Sonnet
Generative Artificial Intelligence with Getty's ...

Getty Images has become the newest company to join the AI Image Generator bandwagon, creating their own that is trained using NVIDIA's Picasso. NVIDIA is a machine learning model that was created with the intention of using solely images that are property of Getty Images, which makes this Image Generator unique from the rest. This review compares the other competitors for generative AI with Getty’s new tool.

Generative Artificial Intelligence with Getty's New Tool
Artificial Intelligence, Multi-Media
Staff Researcher
The Future of AI-Generated Videos: Synthesia ...

Platforms like Synthesia and D-ID allow users to create AI-driven videos. These new apps are reshaping video creation, giving users unprecedented tools to create content. This article highlights the unique features and comparisons between Synthesia and D-ID, providing insights into their functionality, user experience, output quality, and cost impact.

The Future of AI-Generated Videos: Synthesia and D-ID
Gamification, Artificial Intelligence
Staff Researcher
What Can We Expect From Non-Player Characters ...

Traditionally, games’ non-player characters (NPCs) were essentially scripted entities characterized by predetermined actions and restricted interaction capabilities. Nevertheless, the evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has injected vitality into these characters, rendering them significantly more dynamic and convincing in their behavior.

What Can We Expect From Non-Player Characters (NPCs) in Gaming?

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iPhoneize Your Web Site with One Click!

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Yes, the iPhone provides a true representation of any Web page. However, some page designs - while accurately displayed on the device - are just too difficult to read and navigate on a small screen. Intersquash.com attempts to rectify the situation by generating an iPhone-friendly Web page for your site with one click. The only caveat? Your site content must be RSS-driven. (What's RSS, you ask?)

To iPhoneize your site using Intersquash.com, simply enter your RSS feed URL and Web site title into the Intersquash interface (squasherface? intersquash?) and click the "iPhoneize My Website!" button. BOOM! Your site has been iPhoneized. It doesn't even hurt.

Step One: Enter your site info.

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Step Two: Your site has been iPhoneized.

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The site gives you the option to upload an icon (57 pixels squared) or access the "hearder code." Placing the header code provided by Interquash in the header of your site's HTML will enable device recognition so mobile users will automatically be presented with your iPhoneized page.

Here is the iPhoneized version of the Technology in the Arts blog.

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By the way, the screenshot above was created using a free software called iPhoney, which allows you to view any Web page as it would appear on the iPhone. Two notes: 1) iPhoney is Mac only and 2) no, you cannot make calls using iPhoney... don't be ridiculous.

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Book Review: Don't Make Me Think!

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If anyone out there is planning a major overhaul of their Web site, listen up. I've just finished reading Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability, by Steve Krug. This book is a great guide for anyone who wants to get some insight into Web style conventions, how visitors use Web sites, and usability testing. Why are conventions and usability important? Imagine picking up a newspaper with no headlines, no sections, no page numbers. Web conventions are important to know because, well, people have come to expect them. And, they work.

The book is a quick read (about three hours) and user friendly (it would be self-defeating if it were otherwise). The tips and advice offered by Krug are great pieces of wisdom to have in the back of your mind as you examine the needs of your site's users, work with designers, and seek buy-in from stakeholders.

The second edition of the book was published back in 2005, but the trends and conventions it cites are not out-of-date by any means. And, the backbone concept of "don't make me think" is timeless. This book is definitely worth checking out, especially if you're about to put any time, effort, and money into revamping your organization's Web presence.

Related site: Advanced Common Sense (Steve Krug's site)