An Autumn’s Muse

As I sorted through my various nature photography collections, I happened upon this French duck who itself, had happened upon a leaf of apparently, a curious respect. I cropped the photograph, altered it to give the impression of being a painting, and adjusted the colors ever so slightly to set the appropriate mood.

 

Le Beau Port de Normandie (et amis): Memory Lane

One of my favorite photographs was one I took at a Normandy port. I first posted it on this blog on Oct. 22nd, 2010 shortly after arriving back on American shores. Since very few people were viewing my blog at that time, and moreover would be a pain to search through my never-ending archives I have decided to “bring it back into the light,” as well as a few others.

These photographs were originally posted when I had abundant space on my blog and posted images in full resolution, therefore you may note they have the potential of greater loading times.

While at this beautiful Normandy harbor, we stopped for a bite to eat at a local seafood restaurant. While there, I had a (featured a few days ago on this blog) fantastic plate of fresh lobster that was likely caught that morning.

A striking blend of various purples, pinks, whites, and violets! This flower stood out quite distinctly (on behalf of its vibrancy) among its kin in Monet's Garden.

"What are these? I really have no idea." I had a knack for captions in '10, I did (tone dripping in sarcasm). In my travels, I paid a visit to the second-largest capitol building in the United States (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebraska_State_Capitol), that of Lincoln, Nebraska. There was a tremendous view from atop it, which if you'll scroll down to the next picture, you'll be able to enjoy.

One may find an astounding view from atop the United States' second-largest capitol building. Although I'm sure the view from atop the Tour de Eiffel is a tad more beau.

On one side, there's a beautiful sunset. However, on the flip side... there's something much more menacing brewing.

The caption I originally had for this picture was... well, amusing at best. I found this grasshopper on a warm summer day when it was time to provide the plants with a "watery reprieve."

Oh the terror! Oh the horror! Wait... it's actually quite delicious! A mix of frozen bananas, blueberries, strawberries, and spinach - all you taste is the fruit!

On the original post, I even posted a recipe:

Regardless of the captions (albeit I changed the captions) this drink actually isn’t half bad. Tastes more like a strawberry-banana smoothie, than an intimidating vegetable concoction.

Curious?

Ingredients:

1. 3 Frozen Strawberries
2. 2 Frozen Bananas
3. 3 Handfuls of Fresh Spinach
4. 1 Handful of  Blueberries
5. 1 Cup of Water
6. Combine ingredients in blender, mix well.

PF Chang's egg drop soup is utterly magnificent - with its green peppers, chunks of delicious egg... this photograph is from the time where I'd photograph just about anything.

Our Lady of Paris - the one, but not the only, Notre Dame!

 

 

 

 

Flamboyant Eiffel

Here is yet another experiment, using one of my photographs of the Eiffel Tower.

An interesting result was produced when the contrast and brightness were tweaked - intensifying the sun, and overshadowing the famous Eiffel Tower.

Coucher du Lion: Uncovering a Mystery (not really)

This is the photograph which was altered to create the Coucher du Lion: Une autre expérience? post. This particular statue was surrounded by dozens of other carven images – a passionate couple (to be posted in an altered form), a pair (plus one) of holding hands, and in the distance, Caesar, etc.

(indecipherable from image) 1731 – Milan 1806 / Lion. By doing a Google Search (as well as “blowing up” the plate in question) I was able to understand some of what was written on the plate, however, I have no idea what is written towards the bottom.”]

The engraved plate states: FRANCHI Giuseppe / Ouren [?

 

The "blown up" information plate. It's amazing what you can discover in an image taken with a 12MP digital camera.

 

This post has been sent back in time.

The Only Remedy

Image via Wikipedia

I often find myself looking over the Book of Romans, particularly at Chapter 7 – it’s amazing how quick I can forget the most important detail, and only to “discover” it again with a greater revelation than the previous. Paul, the guided author of this book, is a man who previously lived engulfed in sin. He was previously a high-standing Jewish church official, with great authority and power, born with the name of Saul. Throughout his life he persecuted the early Christian body, watching martyrs fall to the ground with a stone cold heart, likely believing himself to be the right hand of justice and the vessel of providence. He soon discovered however, that he was sorely mistaken. While on a journey to persecute more Christians, he was blinded by light from the heavens, and in a moment of overwhelming fear and awe, Saul heard the voice of God [Read-1]. From this point on Saul would become Paul, a passionate Christian man till’ martyrdom, after which he resumed his life in the presence of his Savior.

It is this same man, readily acquainted with sin, that writes:

¹⁵ I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. ¹⁶ And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.¹⁷ As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. ¹⁸ For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.^[b] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. ¹⁹ For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. ²⁰ Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

²¹ So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²² For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; ²³ but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. ²⁴ What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? ²⁵ Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature^[c] a slave to the law of sin.

-Romans 7:15-25 (Read Context)

When selfishness, pride, and envy – enemies of love – enter in, I find myself wondering how to escape the seemingly inescapable bonds that hold to me so tightly. The answer is a simple and awesome one: Jesus Christ. 

Fourth of July Photography

This gallery contains 6 photos.

Fireworks – they’re debatably amazing. On one hand, they’re beautiful and make for great memories (why I love them). On the other hand, you’re spending money on something that will blow up in the air and make lots of unnecessary noise (why other people hate them). Whatever the circumstances, the fourth is certainly an experience (and a photographic one [...]

The One Thing EVERY Writer Needs

Idea Boxes

When I read Erica Johnson’s, or rather, Shari Lopatin’s, 10 Reasons Every Writer Should Keep an Idea Box, it made me think for a bit – even to the point of considering buying my own “idea box” from Barnes and Noble (and I found the one mentioned here). Then I recalled my suitcase, my 3DS, my blog, and the many other places I store my ideas – they were all idea boxes, simply not consolidated into a singular medium.

My Suitcase – I started using my suitcase when the clusters of papers scattered around my room became overwhelming. The folders within helped me to separate each of my writing projects into organized categories, and I could fit a few pens here and there for use on the go, with easily accessible sheets of paper in the two end-side binders.

My 3DS -Who would have thought my Nintendo 3DS would actually help me

My Nintendo 3DS

along in my writing? In addition to it’s internet browser, and plethora of apps, there is a program called “Game Notes” – which I have found to be invaluable in the past few months. My latest writing project has produced a variety of random ideas which beg to jotted down immediately. If I feel the idea slipping away, faster than my hand can write, I record it on the 3DS Sound Program, essentially explaining the idea to myself when I need to recall it later.

My Blog – Although I don’t traditionally use my blog for storing ideas regarding fictional mediums, I do find it imperative for allocating my blog ideas for dates that I am lacking in creativity. In the drafts section of my dashboard I find this solace, and there I store my many brainstorms – good and bad, for potential future use or deletion.

My Notebooks – In the area of stationaries, I am certainly not lacking! And, in the long run, they are definitively the most vital in recording my thoughts and conveying bursts of inspiration, especially those which make themselves out to be quite lengthy. I’ve written entire manuscripts in my notebooks, and I can always return to them when I wish to review, with a hint of nostalgia, how my writing has exponentially developed. Unlike a computer, they cannot crash or catch viruses, though I can certainly lose them! This is why I store the majority of my idea-books on a shelf in my bedroom, easily found and kept track of, even with my INFP unorganized personality.

My Computer – Aside from my blog, I tend to use computers as an archive of my thought processes. Generally for the purpose of temporarily storing and printing out my final drafts (which find their way to my suitcase – if I don’t give in to my unorganized tendencies)

My Mind - The most unreliable finds itself to be my first and last resort. When I have an idea, I make certain to record it into one of the above mediums, but if I (for some odd reason) find myself without, then I attempt to store it in my brain by memorization. “Make the character do this… Make the character do this… Make the character do this… What did I want the character to do again? Oh yes! Make the character do this…” Even though I have a keen memory, I don’t always maintain the best concentration when other, more important thoughts, bring themselves to center stage.

What is Your Writing Box?

Do you rely on the ole’ noggin, or go digital with an iTouch, iPad, Droid, or other high-end technologies? Whatever the case, I most certainly agree with Shari Lopatin- keeping a writing box (or boxes), in it’s many forms, altogether calls for and develops observation, authorial solidification, unique perspectives, annihilating boredom, instills importance, literary diversity, and a most fun experience (most certainly instead of fumbling around for an idea you have hopelessly forgotten).

If you don’t have one and you call yourself a writer – get one! You won’t regret it. My idea boxes have helped me to grow and mature as a writing, fine tuning my skills by learning from my mistakes and gain innovative perspective and experience. Inspiration may strike from the slightest of ideas, and by writing one down, you may find yourself one day with a bestselling novel in your hands.

DP Photo Journal: Red

A red, or rather rouge (French for red), plant in Monet's Garden in Giverny, France.

Boredom under the Sun: How to Stay Entertained

Sequel to Boredom by Snow, find tips from last time and some new one’s (skip past #13 for new tips)

How do you stay entertained when you are bored on a summer’s day?

(AW Top 17)

Inspired by The Daily Post

Image via Wikipedia

1. Blog About It

Have a photography related blog? Post some pics! See any good movies? Do you like snow, or entirely detest it? There’s plenty of possibilities!

2. Go Literary

Grab a good book, plop down on the couch (chair, pillows-shaped-like-a-chair and whatnot), and get reading! That’s how the bookworms do it.

3. Get Creative

Write a story, create an artistic masterpiece, design something – whether it’s computer graphics or your dream house, get creative!

4. Be a Couch Potato

Image via Wikipedia

Can’t take the boredom, and nothing above will suffice? Then you can always be a couch potato. Not exactly the healthiest choice, but it beats being bored right? Watch episodes of whatever series  you’ve missed.

5. Think Big – Think Sun

Imaaaagine! Hook up a solar panel, check your thermometer, wish it were cooler outside -unless that’s not your thing (same here)… then just… keep reading.

6. Jam out the Boredom

Music always helps pass the time. Jam out while pondering life, jam out while thinking big, jam out while being a coach potato – and so much more!

Image via Wikipedia

7. Start Cooking

Commencer la cuisson! Make a homemade pizza, bake a cake, fire up that barby, do something amazing – culinary style. 

8. Discover

Whether it’s the Lost Money of the Couch Caverns, or researching something you don’t know about, you could be the next Indy Jones! (okay, maybe not…) If you live on the site of some ancient ruin buried underground, take advantage of your property rights and dig it up and send it to a museum!

9. Organize

If you’re isolated in an air condition home – clean up that room, arrange that bookshelf or Blu-Ray/DVD collection, make something out of your time.

10. Get in Contact

Image via Wikipedia

Call someone, strengthen those relationships!

11. Make it a Kodak Moment!

Have a larger-than-life snowstorm? Beautifully, glistening lake? Unless you live in Arctic conditions – probably not! Take some photos of what’s around you, get outside and walk around! Maybe you have a larger-than-life tree in your backyard that has been around since your country was settled – snap a pic and share it with the world!

Image via Wikipedia

12. Be Active!

Work out, run laps around the living room, don’t be a couch potato – stretch those muscles!

13. Study

Most likely a quite unpopular sentiment, but when all else fails, study! College, High School, Middle School? Maybe something at work? Sharpen the mind!

14. Get Some Exercise

If it’s warm outside, stop wasting daylight and get out there! Take a jog around your neighborhood and maybe do a few one-armed push-ups on your newly polished deck. Get fit and lose some calories while you’re at it!

Image via Wikipedia

15. Take a Survey

Stroll through town and collect answers for a survey of your choosing! For Christians, it might be something like… “What do you think happens after death? (then you have a witnessing opportunity!)” Or, what is the capital of Nebraska? (most people probably won’t even know it exists…) Alternatively, you can literally take a survey, such as those with Gallup – pick up that phone (possibly go celular and  get in some exercise at the same time!

16. Build a Fort

One tourist amidst a city of Parisians.

Have kids? Build them a tree fort! Or get crazy with your wood-working skills and create something worthwhile.

17. Feed Your Hunger!

Visit a local vendor or check in to your favorite restaurant and chow down!

17. Travel

My personal favorite… buy a plane ticket and go somewhere new! Paris, France – Barcelona, Spain – Florence, Italy – Sao Paolo, Brazil – Beijing, China – wherever! Then blog about it.

Gaming in the Third Dimension [3DS Series Finale]

Nintendo 3DS Logo displayed on 3DS System

The Nintendo 3DS is the latest handheld console released by Nintendo, and it has certainly made it into the limelight – introducing a revolutionary console with 3-D gaming and photography capabilities, promising titles in games (such as Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time, Kid Icarus: Uprising and Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright), as well as a variety of included applications.

The system has however, sparked quite a bit of controversy over its 3D effects – this controversy does not regard the legitimacy of these effects (as legitimacy has already been established by thousands of “eyewitnesses” [aka gamers]), but rather the alledged harmful effects and ensuing downsides of it. Some owners of the 3DS have reported dizziness and nausea after playing for a short period of time, or even a simple case of having to strain their eyes consistently. Many others, however, have reported no symptoms or complaints whatsoever – jumping into the world of the Nintendo 3DS without a care. More details on 3DS effects and possible solutions for discomfort may be found in issue #001 of my 3DS series.

Various critical reviews highlighted points seen below:

“The 3-D screen is amazing and totally draws you into the games / Once you’ve tried a 3DS for yourself, you’ll be hooked/ …the Nintendo 3DS will blow your mind, and make 3-D gaming a reality for everyone.” -Fox News: Gamer’s Weekly

“Despite its shortcomings, the 3DS is a genuine joy to behold and pleasure to play. Whether you’ll want to shell out for one, or borrow a more affluent friend’s system is another story, however.” -CNN Tech

The Nintendo 3DS requires a hefty price, which isn’t too shocking considering the dramatic changes between the 3DS and previous DS consoles (See: Nintendo DSi vs 3DS for further details). In the United States, the price is set at $250, though many distributors such as Amazon ($25 3DS game credit for select games, as well as trade-in’s), GameStop (bundles and trade-in’s), and Target (5$ gift cards for consumers who purchased 1$ pre-order cards, followed by the 3DS & trade-in’s) have offered perks to lighten the load.

The key to making the 3DS in and of itself worth the big $250 is by using what many critics have referred to as “gimmicks” – many of which aren’t available until an update in May. With this updates, users will be able to begin utilizing the 3-D movies feature on their system, including a Netflix interface – as well as an upgraded 3DS Browser, which may tap into AT&T hotspots and Wi-Fi enabled locations.

The only available “gimmicks” as of April 2011 are the primary features of the Nintendo 3DS – Mii Plaza, AR Games, Nintendo 3DS Sound and some other new features which are explained in detail below.

Your Guide to the Nintendo 3DS: All we’ve discussed & more

OK-Go 3D Music Video: The only available 3D movie until may, which

The first 3D movie clip available on the Nintendo 3DS!

arrived on Nintendo 3DS systems with an update developed in mid-May. The video features trained animals doing a variety of tricks alongside the band – it is only a slight demonstration of the ability of the 3D’s graphics. It certainly quite amusing, and the 3D effect adds a life-like depth to all that is involved. If nothing else, its a quaint little music video for anyone who enjoys watching dogs doing silly tricks.

Activity Log: This app made its debut on the Nintendo 3DS, included with

Making it a healthy video game experience! ...right.

other preinstalled applications – no update required! With it, you can monitor the steps you take each day, and earn rewards called Play Coins! That is, if you take your 3DS wherever you go (which is why 3DS cases and mini backpacks are invaluable for on the go). You may earn a total of ten play coins a day, one for every hundred steps you make – which really isn’t too hard! Play coins are spent by hiring warriors at Mii Plaza (as well as purchasing puzzle pieces), unlocking additional mini-games and mini-apps on AR Games, and possibly on additional applications that appear with future updates (Read my Activity Log review for more details on this application!). Have to include some incentive to exercise after all that gaming! For more information on Mii Plaza, keep reading!

Mii Creator & Mii Plaza: For Nintendo Wii owners, Mii should be nothing

An app that keeps on giving, by utilizing Street Pass.

new. Now the wonderful world of Mii is available to owners of the Nintendo 3DS! Take a picture of yourself, choose a few options, and let the Mii creator figure out the rest! Or develop everything manually yourself. Once your Mii avatar is created, you can participate in the preinstalled 3DS game, Mii Plaza.Here you may gather other Mii’s into your plaza via street pass, and trade your Mii with others through Street Pass as well – think of it as the New York Stock Exchange, except with Mii’s… and no fee’s… okay, maybe not like the NYSE. You may further spread the joy

QR Code for Mii!

of Mii with friends by a share feature available under the QR Code menu. Simply save your Mii as a QR Code, and you share let your friends bask in the coolness of their very own copy of a Mii of your choosing (provides the opportunity of trading Mii’s, or the development of Mii artists who provide custom made Mii’s for people to use). See the QR Code of one of my Mii’s at the right – simply select the QR Code menu from your 3DS, tap “Scan QR Code,” and place the image with your 3DS’s focus (click on the image for full size) – there’s Mii!

Although Mii trading can be fun, there’s another feature, or rather features, even better! Once you’ve collected enough Mii’s via StreetPass, you can participate in the puzzle game (through which you collect puzzle pieces from play tokens and Mii’s which have visited your plaza)- or my favorite, Find Mii.

Find Miiis a mini-game within a mini-game, with somewhat of a story to

A Hero Emerges!

go along with it. Your Mii – which you worked so hard to create, has been kidnapped! Hire heroes with Play Coins (coins earned from jogging/walking with your Nintendo 3ds – while in sleep mode,up to 10 per day. Earn one every 100 steps) to fight off the ghosts holding your Mii, or invite visiting Mii’s from your plaza to join the fight! As hired heroes will be your primary asset in this game, you should no doubt look into their abilities! Each colored hero (shirt color) has a different power, such

Hero attack fails!

as – purple for poison, white for light, green for strength, etc. As well as special abilities, heroes are also organized into ranks – Rank 1 & 2. Rank 2 are the most powerful, and should be saved for last. Rank 1 heroes should be used for magic and risky attacks. As a sound note of strategy, I’d recommend using a purple warrior immediately when you begin your battle, to navigate to one, simply select “Next Hero!” Then use his poison magic! This will damage the ghosts each turn during the fight – very handy. Using a brown hero’s magic is also something to consider, by using its “Strength” magic, you can “level up” the warrior immediately after the brown Hero. Another tip! Never attack an armored ghost with the sword of a Level 1 Hero, otherwise the attack with simply bounce off the armor, instead use

Find Mii Treasure Chest

magic or level up your heroes! Save up your play coins for two days and you’ll have the maximum number of 10 warriors which you may control. More heroes means more variety, so I’d recommend this approach! At the end of every few levels, your hero will discover a treasure chest which contains an item for your Mii! This item may be equipped on the main page of the Mii Plaza application – simply move your cursor onto your Mii, select it, then visit Mii Settings, from there it’s as easy as choosing select hat going customization crazy!

There’s dozens of hats to collect, all of them [from Find Mii I] are listed below (you’ll need to play the game through twice through to earn them all. Then in Find Mii II, you will have to play it through multiple times as well to earn the additional hats. This list is “obtaining comprehensiveness” in regards to Find Mii 2 [II], and will be updated until the last hat is achieved [in chronological order]):

• Mario Hat
• Luigi’s Cap
• ???
• ???
• Yoshi Hat
• ???
• ???
• ???
• Toad Hat
• ???
• ???
• Bowser Hat
• ???
• ???
• ???
• ???
• ???
• Warp Pipe Hat
• ???
• Red Pikmin Hat
• Blue Pikmin Hat
• Yellow Pikmin Hat
• Link’s Cap
• ???
• Epona Hat
• Samus’s Helment
• Metroid Hat
• Kirby Hat
• Donkey Kong Hat
• Arwing Hat
• ???
• ???
• ???
• ???
• ???
• ???
• ???
• ???
• ???
• ???
• ???
• ???
• ???
• ???
• ???
• ???
• ???
• ???
• Lacy Headband
• ???
• Floral Hat
• ???
• ???
• Pirate Hat
• ???
• ???
• ???
• ???
• ???
• ???
• ???
• Panda Hat
• ???
• ???
• Cat Hat
• Dog Ears
• Bunny Ears
• Regal Crown (Finish  Find Mii I 1-time through)
• Prince’s Crown (Finish  Find Mii II 1-time through)
• ??? (Princess’ Crown)
• Ultimate Helmet (Finish  Find Mii I 2-times through)
• ???
• ???

BEST TIP: If you have a pink warrior, use their magic at the beginning of the battle – all your warriors will suddenly become much more powerful (x2 [4/5-pt. attack], x5 [10/11-pt. attack], and greater attacks [use a light blue warrior to freeze the ghost/s, then try upgrading a lvl. 2 warrior to lvl. 4 with a green warrior while the pink and blue magic is in effect,  you'll be able to destroy even powerful enemies like the Ultimate Ghost quickly) UPDATE: In Find Mii II, pair the pink & green warrior tip with the strengthen potion (20 play coins) and teams to have the ultimate combo!

AR Games: The Augmented Reality Games feature could have been marketed

The famous AR Games mascot!

as a separate video game entirely – featuring six primary applications and additional bonus applications, which are unlocked after each of the primary are engaged and completed. Face against powerful bosses, test your skill in a game of AR golf (AR Shoot), make Mario a model with Star Picks, or unleash your creative side with AR Graffiti – so many possibilities, so little time. When I first got my hands on the 3DS, AR Games was my favorite app, though after a while the excitement tends to die down. Its a great game for displaying the capabilities of the 3DS system, and unlocks new possibilities with the 3DS Camera.

Primary Applications:

• Graffiti:In graffiti, users may scribble on virtually any environment.
  

  AR Games Shooting Gallery

  Try placing your AR Card on a table and use the rainbow pen to liven things up, or even hand it over to a friend, and cover them in virtual dog prints!

• Star Picks: Set your favorite video game characters in any environment, then snap a pic with the integrated 3DS camera feature! For example, check out my 3DS Photography post!
• Mii Picks: Same as Star Picks, though this time with your own personal Mii!
• AR Shot: Think pool, except in a 3D environment with an ever-
  

  Catching the elusive dragon of AR Fishing earns you an extra 200 points! And the satisfaction of completing another mini game.

  changing landscape! …and a monster that makes an appearance in just about every AR Game (Archery & Fishing).

• Archery: Bombs… er, darts away! Navigate your console around the 3D environment locating and firing upon every target you see. As a bonus, try your hand at slaying a dragon!
• Fishing: Nothing like good old fishing! Whenever you catch a fish, it’ll be added to your “collection,” along with its name and point value. One you’ve mastered the basics, you’ll find yourself fishing for sea dragons!

Nintendo 3DS Sound: For players familiar with the Nintendo DSi, they may

With additional features, such as the "Shuffle All" and "Parakeets Pick of the Day" feature - if youre a music fan, this is sure to be one of your favorite applications.

find all the old features of DSi Sound and many new additions! Now you can organize your music into individual play lists, shuffle your music, let your 3D parakeet companion pick a song for the day, and more!

Nintendo 3DS Camera: With all the fun features of the Nintendo DSi camera comes the 3DS camera! Now with the ability to take 3-D photography, and linked to dozens of applications such as AR Games, this app dominates its predecessor!

Face Raiders: Face Raiders is another fun, interactive game, like that of AR Games. This time, however, instead of playing with imaginary objects, you can take pictures of friends and family and fit them into a cozy battle helmet. Players may be further entertained by blasting the 3-dimensional likeness of the photographed person (or objects! I took a shot of a shampoo bottle logo and had a fairly interesting result… refer to the second screenshot for details.) into oblivion in the Face Raiders mini-game, which has been further brought to life with various animations and moments of maniacal laughter.

Nintendo DSi vs 3DS: How does it match up?

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

The Nintendo DSi
The Nintendo DSi, and it’s XL Version as well, brought about a large change to the Nintendo DS line. It started with the simple DS system, and the slightly improved Lite, which enhanced visual capabilities with it’s brightness level feature. Then comes the DSi – the first in its line to introduce duo built-in cameras with corresponding software, a voice-record system with alteration features (such as pitch or echo), and even going so far as to make available the option of a built-in, Opera-based internet browser, along with the animation program Flipnote and its Hatena sharing capabilities – further allowing a SD Card Slot for additional memory. The DSi was certainly developed for personal use, complimented with fun, socially interactive features.

Image by Jorge glеz via Flickr

Fun Fact: I’ve recently noticed an increase in web searches relating to DSi Flash player inquiries which have been redirected to this blog. The Nintendo DSi does not support Flash Player on its web browser, nor any other add-on’s. Therefore many online sites such as YouTube, or MMORPG game sites like Club Penguin or Adventure Quest are rendered useless and incapable of operation. This is unavoidable and cannot be fixed.

Image via Wikipedia

The Nintendo 3DS
The Nintendo 3DS features (as Wikipedia words most technically) “push-buttons, D-pad (which operates with similar purpose to the control pad. Allows users to pan through environments, scroll through menu’s, etc.), analog stick, touchscreen, volume slider, 3D depth slider, wireless communications switch, 3DS/DSi/DS and SD Card Slots,” and a variety of programs, including Wii-based features, such as 3DS Sound , Mii Studio, PictoChat, Street Pass Mii Plaza, Face Shooting, Download Service, 3DS Camera, Augmented reality games, 3DS Shop, Internet Browser, an Activity Log, and 3D movie playback capability (with movies by Warner Bros, Disney, and DreamWorks). As it’s main attraction, the Nintendo 3DS enables 3-D game play for select games, including a slider to adjust the 3-D graphics at any time. The dramatic effects of 3-D gameplay requires no special glasses or additional equipment as it operates on the concept of autostereoscopy. It certainly ups the ante!

The Nintendo 3DS Update

…has been a most anticipated one, since the system’s launch March 25th 2011. The June 6th update, which was released barely an hour ago, contained a few programs and system tweaks – most importantly, the Nintendo 3DS Shop and Nintendo 3DS Browser.

The Nintendo 3DS Browser is certainly quite impressive, far outclassing its DSi predecessor. As I tap out this post, the browser provides possible words that I may intend to use, much like Google’s suggested search functionality – both checking my spelling and saving valuable time typing, not to mention it is, aside from English, available in French, Spanish, and Portuguese.
The browser has a sleek design, and easy to navigate features, available even when you’re in the middle of a 3DS game or application. Utilizing the SD card and 3DS camera, upload and download functionalities are also available – allowing users to both share their 3DS pictures online, and download images from anywhere on the web for viewing in their 3DS camera gallery. Not too shabby, huh? Unfortunately, the browser does not support YouTube or any other online video or music viewing service for that matter, as popular rumor had us previously suppose. A sad outcome, yet one that can be looked over in light of the drastically improved browser. Now I can finally make decent WordPress entries, tags and all (upload script isn’t supported however).

The Nintendo 3DS shop, which stands currently under maintenance and inaccessible, features two free-for-download applications: a classic 3D racing game, and a 3D Pokedex. Organization is also slightly

Overall, a duely made update.

Check the Adventure Writer Blog for constant updates on the system! For all my 3DS posts so far, check: The Nintendo Series [3DS/DSi] category, which is where all  Nintendo 3DS [and related DSi] posts have been added.

If you liked this, be sure to check out…

Upcoming Nintendo 3DS Games

Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney {Level-5 & Capcom}

Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle

Nintendogs + Cats

Mario Kart 3DS

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Kid Icarus: Uprising

Questions & Answers

Is it fairly light? And is the 3D toggle really as much of an eye-sore as people have said?

The 3DS is much bulkier, which goes to say heavier, than previous DS systems. As one BBC reporter describes it, “it’s build like a rock!”  Although it isn’t a tremendous weight, the difference is evident – so no, not fairly light at all! And yes, I would say the 3D toggle is quite an eye-sore. Imagine focusing and refocusing binoculars over and over again – a bit disorienting? Same with the 3DS. If you want to switch from 2-D to 3-D instantly, I suggest closing your eyes, moving the toggle to maximum, then opening your eyes and look at the 3DS straight on – works like a charm.

Submit your own question in the comments below and I’ll answer it here!