Recently I posted a blog regarding some research I had done about Online Casino but as with all research there is always an element of clinical separation from the subject. However, one of the things that struck me was the number of online gamers there seemed to be online at anyone point – my question back then was “Does the gaming experience of online casino games have the same allure for players?”… However,  recent experiences have left me wondering if that was the right question after all.

Ok… so I had delved into the world of online gaming and it didn’t draw me – the gambling element didn’t have that lure that I needed for it to become a regular thing -  but nonetheless there was something there just beneath the surface that I couldn’t quite put my finger on!

A few weeks passed and I hadn’t been anywhere nears an online Casino nor had I any intention to play but then the strangest coincidence occurred! Facebook! I am someone who uses Facebook (FB) quite allot and enjoy the whole interaction element of social media. I have always been aware of the games on Facebook such as Farmville, etc, etc – but I didn’t know there was a FB Poker game. One morning I noticed a friend’s request to join them on Facebook Poker and after a bit of convincing on “Chat” I decided to give it a go!

In the first few moments I realised what it was that I really enjoyed. In almost every regard the FB Poker was alike the other online Casionos I had visited but only on FB did I fully realise that it was that same social interaction that I enjoyed about the other Casinos. This has left me thinking differently About Online Casino… Maybe, just maybe it’s not about gambling alone so much as it is about the chance to socially interact online while enjoying the challenge and the chance in chasing the odds! It it a similar desire to be social on facebook that motovates gamers in online casinos?

Facebook lately has received a great deal of criticism over Privacy Settings and it’s ability to keep FB Users safe… not to mention the ongoing debate as to whether social networking is a Positive thing. This week even saw a “Quit Facebook Day” taking place and it result 34,424 users leaving facebook but it has pretty much been deemed a failure. Despite all the furore around Facebook quitting and privacy concerns, it appears that people are just not ready to part with their profiles, as they have become too big a part of their lives.

I am one of those who enjoys facebook and sees the potential of social networking – I believe it has the potential to be a really positive influence in the world if it used well. Like all things though Facebook has a very dark and sinister side which I have recently fallen pray to myself.

Like most, when I first started using facebook I was very naive to the dangers and didn’t really know much about using FB. In recent weeks my eyes have been opened by what I can only call “fakebook friends”.  Somone, started sending me hateful messages, distasteful photographs in what what can only be described as a “Hate campaign”. This person was blocked but it turned out they had other fake profiles which they used to cause me distress. The strangest part was, that once one person began being abusive a few others rallied around and formed a mallicious circle. I spent a number of days dealing with growing sociopathic behaviour. These were people who I had never done any wrong to except for maybe having my own facebook profile which seemed to be the only excuse needed to try and cause me harm.

Inspite of all this I can honestly say I AM LUCKY with the many wonderful people I have gotten to know thanks to facebook… I have had the good fortune to meet numerous good and intersting people I would not have encountered otherwise.

When people talk about yachts and sailing it’s normally a romantic image that comes to mind: sails billowing, yelling “hard to port” or even starboard and nothing but miles-upon-miles of open waters. There’s other associations too, the compass and sexton, the relaxing moments of lying on a varnished and polished deck with clear blue skies over-head. It’s beautiful… just thinking about it!

However, my first memory of yachting is somewhat different… and much less picturesque and yet remains one of my favourite memories. My introduction to sailing starts of in the dry-dock and took place in bad weather on a rainy and freezing cold spring morning and was anything but your stereo-typical setting. Strangely though, it’s a memory that has lingered with me and has often drifted from the small yacht of my story, to dreaming of one day maybe taking out a luxury yacht charter. I had always had an interest in the idea of sailing, ever since I was a child and had seen my first pirate ship on the big screen… there was something magical but it was something I never had the opportunity to try, until recently. In the usual way you can know someone for a while and not know all their interests, a friend of mine mentioned that they had a love of yachts and sailing and the conversation developed with one thing leading to another. Before I knew it I had an invitation to go sailing. My friend had explained that if I wanted to really see sailing I had to experience it from the start, so I should be prepared – he advised me of everything I would need: Wellies (gum boots), water-proofs, change of warm clothes and shoes, flash of coffee and food etc. etc. Surely this was not sailing!

Sunday morning arrived and it was a stormy morning. The yacht was on a trailer in dry dock and under covering. She’s been taken out of the water to keep her safe from Winter’s weather. Now came the first part of any boats journey: We had to put her in the water! It was an amazing experience as a large number of sailors who had also stowed their boats for the winter turned out for the event, it didn’t matter that it was freezing cold and raining hard, it was a regatta on dry-land and the atmosphere was electrifying. The plan was simple, everyone worked together, one boat at a time, until all the boats were in the sea. In groups we wheeled the trailers up to the sea-wall, hooked the boats to a crane and lowered them onto the waves. By early afternoon all the boats were bobbing on the tide ready for there first trip around the bay.

By evening I was exhausted and had been soaked through by rain and mud. It was AMAZING! I had put a boat in the water… but most of all I had earned the chance to sail it around the bay!

Santa Claus is coming to town!…

He’s made his list and he’s checked it twice and now he’s on his way!

Follow his journey as he makes his way around the world this Christmas!

Thanks to Norad (North American Aerospace Defense Command) everyone can follow Santa live on the internet, as he makes his way in his sleigh with Rudolph and the other reindeer, to the homes of all the little boys and girls!

(Click the link below to follow Santa!)

NORAD TRACKS SANTA CLAUS

You can also track Santa on Google Earth

Also Visit Santa’s Village to see what’s been going on, and join in on the fun!

Google are always coming up with cool new things – but one of Google’s better ideas is their approach to logos and this year is now exception!

For the second year running Google are inviting Irish students & Schools in Ireland to create their own doodle by taking part in Doodle 4 Google!

The winning student will have their doodle appear on the Google Ireland homepage for 24 hours and will also receive a €10,000 technology grant for their school.

This year’s theme is ‘My Future’ and we want Irish students to think big and dream big with their designs. Students will help shape the world of tomorrow and we can’t wait to see their interpretations of the future.

You can download and print our introductory leaflet and poster here

Download [PDF]

For more information on the competition please visit http://www.google.ie/doodle4google/.

This priceless youtube video  Graphic Designer vs client came to me courtesy of James Larkin (thanks!) – I think lots of people, not just Graphic Designers, will relate to this, in these times of recession “We Want Your Best Work For 3.50 An Hour!” Brilliant!

* WARNING: Video Contains Strong Language. NOT a children’s cartoon.

If you’re dreaming of holding up that coveted Golden Spider in 2009, the clock is ticking down to big event… but if you haven’t got your nomination in already you need to get your skates on – Friday 25th September has been set as the Final Closing Date.  Nominations page to enter the 2009 Golden Spider awards.

Golden Spiders Entry Form

Blog themes are always something I find it hard to be content with for long…  and needless to say I’d got weary of the look of the Facia on the site, but getting time to work on it was always the problem. Had a morning free, so instead of doing a thousand and one other wasteful things I could have indulged in, I decided on a make-over. Happily, I’ve just finished putting a new theme in place…