Nick Romanos
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Homepage: http://www4.ncsu.edu/~nwromano
AIM: sonamorkcin
Posts by Nick Romanos
Wherever a new media emerges, advertising is soon to follow.
May 5th
Apple iAds. They are like Google ads, but super cool and minimalist and impossible to change the battery with… (you get my point)
Hold your tongue and say Apple?
May 5th
In the wake of Apple being a bunch of super-control freaks, particularly regarding Flash and application development, I thought this article offered an interesting alternative way to think about it.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13505_3-20004168-16.html
“Microsoft and Google have only recently decided to design their own mobile devices, and in most cases they’re purchasing “white label” hardware from other manufacturers and branding it as their own. The iPad’s 10-hour battery life is a result of Apple’s ablity to have its chip, software, and industrial designers work together to limit unneeded power use.”
Ditch the App?
May 4th
Perhaps we should be learning about designing for the “Mobile Web” instead. After all, it can cross platforms and will become much more sophisticated with the coming HTML 5.
This is pretty interesting stuff. It makes me wonder if Flash really will die…
iPhone is cool but…
May 4th
Google Android is quickly picking up a head of steam in the smartphone OS industry (so it might be a good idea to discuss developing for them also).
This article speaks of some of the ways Fitness and Wellness factor into the Android app market.
Bringing a layered Photoshop file into Flash Catalyst for production.
May 4th
This is how you take a layered document you set up in Photoshop and manipulate it in Flash Catalyst. AWESOME technology!
An Intro to Flash Catalyst.
May 4th
This is the program I used to build my app and it can now be purchased from Adobe.
I HIGHLY recommend Flash Catalyst if you are not a big fan of coding!
The iPad and screen real estate.
Apr 18th
5 consecutive screens. This is certainly a work in progress…
Apr 5th
Learning Objective: To improve form in strenuous, physical exercise while minimizing injury risk.
I can’t wait to move on to Flash. It’s hard to put massive time into just one step of the ideation phase.
Interview 2 (with my Dearest Mother) for fitness app.
Mar 11th
INTERVIEW WITH MOM, an AVID NON-GYM GOER (but wants to get into shape)
• Why don’t you go to the gym?
Because if I joined a gym and spent all that money, I would probably go at first and then gradually quit going.
• Why do you get disinterested?
Because excercise hurts and in a gym it’s downright boring.
Also because I have no stamina and feel foolish trying to do it around others who are in shape and can do it.
• If you could exercise privately, would you be more interested?
Yes, if I could figure out how to work myself up from an easy routine to a more difficult one.
When I do a routine that’s too hard, I tend to throw in the towel because it’s too uncomfortable.
• Do you think it hurts because you might be doing the exercise incorrectly?
Probably…AND because it’s hard to move my heavy body around. I feel too weak to support my weight.
• What would help motivate you to gradually start building your fitness up? (it can be anything)
Probably if I could diet and lose a little weight before I start working out. But that’s difficult also. I LOVE FOOD.
It would be motivating to see a little less poundage in the mirror. Would probably make me WANT to start excersizing to speed up the weight loss.
• So say if you could get a simulated photo of you “in-shape”. Would seeing that on a regular basis be enough to push you towards exercising consistently?
I don’t think so. I used to keep a photo of me when I was 20 in a bikini on the refrigerator and it did not deter my eating. I think I would have to see my real reflection in the mirror with a little less weight on me.
• Do you think you are more motivated by fear of negative consequences or hope for positive consequences?
Obviously fear of negative consequences. That’s why I’ve been overweight so long.
It’s also a depression thing. When you’re not feeling too good about yourself, it’s hard to want to get in shape because it takes so much energy AND motivation, two things I don’t have much of.
• So perhaps some encouragement both visually and verbally would be nice then?
Yeah. I guess so. I feel silly for even saying this. Sounds like I’m a little kid needing lots of praise and encouragement.
I’m not a very self-motivated person… At least when it comes to self-improvement.
FIRST INTERVIEW – In shape, non gym goer.
Mar 2nd
For the first of my two interviews (the second one is on the way) I interviewed Amber Heaton, a junior at UNCW majoring in Mathematics.
Amber is in reasonably good shape but this is derived primarily from her not eating much.
Amber has never been much of a gym goer. As a matter of fact, she has only ever been once in her life because her roommate, freshman year, pressured her into it.
My goal in this interview was to find out why Amber doesn’t go to the gym and if she doesn’t go to the gym, then at least how she could be motivated be active.
Even people who are “in-shape” are recommended 30-60 minutes of physical activity per day according to the American Heart Association.
Physical appearance is not the only factor that need be considered when measuring one’s overall fitness…
SOMEONE WHO IS IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE and YOUNG.
• Why don’t you go to the gym?
Lack of motivation. I’ve never really worried about my weight and I ride my bike every day so I get exercise that way.
I would feel awkward around a bunch of sweaty people running in place.
• What would make it seem less awkward for you?
I like privacy, so gyms aren’t really my thing. I’d much rather just do it in my room or at home with people I know well.
• When you exercise by yourself, do you feel like you are gaining anything from it or are you just doing it because it’s “something to do”?
Well I’m not sure that i feel like I’m gaining something from it, because I dont think I do it regularly enough to actually gain something from it. but it does make me feel better about myself that I did something productive with my spare time; something other than staring at facebook.
I do think if I could convince myself to make it a part of my regular schedule that I would feel like I was gaining something though.
It’s not like I think its a waste of time.
• If you had something to remind you to do it, do you think it could more easily become a habit being as you are in shape and you don’t have a big, fat gut sticking out letting you know you should move around a bit?
Yeah, I guess a reminder would probably help. even if it was just like, a friend that i did it with
When I’m at home just seeing the Wii Fit sitting around is enough of a reminder. I pretty much play it like I’m addicted to it. But that might just be because I like unlocking things in video games
• So, if exercise was more of a game and less of a “duty” you would enjoy it more and possibly become “addicted ” to it?
Yeah, probably so. If there were specific goals to meet and I got ribbons or something, or unlocked cool outfits for sure.
• So a virtual reward is enough to motivate you?
Yeah, remember Farmville? Totally enough to keep me interested.
• Thanks a lot!
No problem!
