Autobiographical Memory

By Eric Hartwell

Autobiographical memory is the area of memory where people store information about themselves. There are several domains included in autobiographical memory. Self-description is the domain that stores information about a persons sense of identity. In this domain, for example, facts such as a persons favorite flavor of ice cream, what their political or moral viewpoint is and whether or not they like red wine are elements of self-description. Emotional memory is the domain that not only contains a persons memories of an emotional experience but also helps them to control their moods. If a person broods over a particularly bad memory or a memory which triggers a negative feeling or emotion, he or she can change this mood by recalling a contrasting emotion, thinking of a memory which brought them joy or happiness instead.

The domain of event memory makes up the largest part of a persons autobiographical memory. Three separate but connected domains make up this part of memory. Specific events in a persons experience of the world, general events about a wide range of actions involved in an event such as going to the doctor or the grocery store and a preserved summary of a persons life. This summary enables a person to answer questions about his or her life such as Where did you grow up? and Where did you go on vacation last year?.

The process of event memory is usually begun at the general-event level, the information the person is seeking to know is usually at the specific-event level. For example, if a person is attempting to retrieve the memory of having stayed at The Plaza Hotel, the starting point for accessing this memory is most likely the general event staying at hotels. Through time, specific events are consolidated into a general event. For example, all the occasions where a person has visited family for the holidays become one generic script which incorporates all the vital experiences and actions that are representative of the going-home-to-visit-the-family-at-holidays event. Once the specific event is included in this general event script, only those particular events where something unusual/compelling/entertaining occurred will distinguish it specifically. The force of these generic scripts in the memory often triggers people to misremember details of a specific event, simply because t hey are representative of the event as a whole.

If a person has not yet experienced an event and does not have an existing script for the experience, the event is more likely to be remembered. The memory for an event will be stronger for experiences where the event cannot fit into a mold of what the persons preexisting expectations are of what will happen. A persons typically routine event can cause a lack of memory function due to the fact that these events are routine or already scripted. For example, if a person always puts their keys on the hallway table when they arrive home, the person will expect the keys to be there. If they have broken that pattern because of an unexpected circumstance, such as answering the telephone, the person might not remember they left their keys near the phone instead of the hallway table since the script in their memory tells them the put the keys on the table, as per the script.

In order for our brains to remember a specific event, a unique element helps a person recall that event as distinguished from a similar event. The nature of the event, who was there (the people involved), where it occurred (the location) are particular pieces of information that can more readily recall the memory.

Eric Hartwell oversees "The World's Best Homepage" intended to be a user-generated resource where YOUR opinion counts. Anybody can contribute and all are welcomed. Visit us to read, comment upon or share opinions on articles for free.

Create Photographic Images in a Sea Cave

By Laurie McArthur

Photographing in a sea cave, although not without its safety hazards, provides a challenging and rewarding photography opportunity. An accomplished wilderness photographer, gives basic tips on handling the difficult light, and other issues encountered in a cave between the high and low tide lines.

Personal Safety

In my part of the world, on the Sapphire Coast of NSW, Australia, there's not much in the way of animal life in a sea cave to seriously harm you. It can be pretty scary, though, so you may not wish to go alone.

There could be the odd eel that can give you a nasty bite with it's powerful jaws and razor sharp teeth, but this is unlikely. Crabs will get out of your way, so the worst you'll get from them, unless you grab one, is a fright. The floor of a sea cave will probably be slippery in places, uneven and be home to many sharp and abrasive shellfish. Wear some substantial footwear and beware of brushing hard against the sea cave walls. Be on the lookout for deep holes in the sea cave floor. It wouldn't do to step into a hole of water over your head, camera and all.

Consider photographing in the cave at low tide, around full moon, when there will be king tides. Although the low tide will be lower, the incoming tide will rise faster, so do your safety homework thoroughly.

Be sure you won't be cut off by the rising tide, either in the cave or on the return walk or climb to dry ground.

Level and Quality of the Light

Generally speaking, the light at the sea cave entrance will be bright, high contrast and directional. As you move further into the sea cave, the light level will drop and the light quality will become softer and throw less shadow.

Consider whether you'll need a tripod. You'll probably need some means to steady the camera. A monopod is useful, giving some support while avoiding the hassles created by tripod legs in such a rough situation.

A monopod can rest on the sea cave wall or floor, or else can be rested on your knee when crouching or even tucked down your belt when standing. This will steady the camera enough for an extra couple of stops of light.

Light Temperature - Colour of the Light

Depending on how far you venture into the sea cave for your photographs, the light may be quite cool and will need warming up to bring out the most satisfying colours. In the case of colour film you'll need a warming filter and may need to give your processor special instructions. With a digital camera, simply set the white balance to the shade setting. Try the maximum warming available.

Subject - What to Photograph in a Sea Cave

A huge question! Ultimately it's up to you and determined by what you see. But here are some suggestions to get your imagination going:

• The walls of the sea cave with their texture, colours, plant and moss growths and shell fish.
• Colourful, rounded rocks on the sea cave floor.
• Loose seaweed, carried into the sea cave by the tide.
• Shapes in the rock of the extremities of the sea cave.
• The interplay of light and shadow on the sea cave walls, roof and floor, especially if there is an extra opening to let the light in.
• Looking back at the sea cave mouth, with the abundance of light creating flare and blending with the surrounding dark sea cave walls.
• Reflections on the water.
• Can you find someone to model for you in such a place? A girl in a long white dress, perhaps? The girl who would accompany you to a sea cave would indeed be a supermodel so be prepared to pay her well in prints or cash.

Photographic Lighting in a Sea Cave

Use flash with the camera hand held, or light up the interior of the sea cave using a torch, with the camera on a tripod, and a long exposure.

My own preference is to use the available light with a monopod or tripod. A tripod will allow for a large depth of field in low light. The quality of light bouncing off the water and wet walls of the sea cave is a pleasure to use, adding a dimension to your images that can't be achieved in out door landscapes. This is arguably the most gratifying light for illuminating the close-up or distant landscape within a sea cave.

Laurie McArthur is a wilderness landscape photographer based on the Sapphire Coast of New South Wales, Australia. Laurie's sea cave images may be viewed at www.southimage.net/aragunnucamping/seacave01.htm along with other digital landscape images.

Computer Security Training

By Ken Marlborough

Computer security training is considered as one of the hottest programs for the new millennium. It is a major part of information technology that prepares students to protect computers and networks. Computers undergo constant attacks from various virus programs and instances of frauds that cause the loss of millions of dollars annually. Computer security training programs assist users to overcome these difficulties. Colleges and universities, technical schools and online programs are the main arenas that provide advanced computer security training.

As all other IT programs, computer security training programs also start with foundation classes. Fundamental programs offer students a comprehensive knowledge about the tools and techniques to manage risks, and to detect and prevent computer attacks. Some of the major concepts discussed are hackers, software piracy, viruses, identity theft, stalking and credit card fraud. Students learn the latest technologies for protecting systems such as securing the operating systems, audit techniques, identification and authentication, cryptography and other network security mechanisms. The security training also encompasses sessions in threat assessment, incident investigation, system security administration, risk management and online security testing. Those who look for a career in computer security technology development get advanced training in system security engineering, software design, development and testing, secure operating system design, and design and application of net work security techniques.

A computer security professional has a good idea about the planning, co-ordination and implementation of security techniques to protect computers from illegal attacks. They are also trained in educating users on computer security, monitoring the network for security breaches, installing safety software and taking instant action against cyber attacks.

Online computer security training is a new trend that teaches the latest technologies to save computers from online attacks. Online certificate and degree programs are available. Recognized online training programs help to attain credentials in security training. These valuable skills are useful for marketing yourself to computer security firms.

As a mandatory technology for this century, many offices and organizations employ computer security personnel to take care of crises during their normal functioning.

Computer Science Education.

How To Brief A Graphic Designer So Your Project Stays On Budget

By Ruth Clare

Most people understand that if they decide to change the location of a bathroom halfway through construction of a house it is going to cost them extra money. Thats why they spend so long making sure the plans are right before they begin.

But it is amazing the number of people who dont apply this same logic to business. Say, for instance, when they use a graphic design firm. A lot of people begin working with a designer with only a vague brief, then make important decisions on the fly, or even change their minds halfway through.

When you consider that graphic design fees are usually based on the number of hours and concepts required, it's hardly surprising that this slapdash approach can end up blowing your budget by hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

A stitch in time saves nine:

The following checklist can be used as a guide in preparing a brief for a graphic design project. By briefing the designer correctly you will have clarified your own thinking about the project and will in return receive an accurate estimate of costs. All suggested topics in the briefing checklist are considered relevant, although not all will be necessary depending on the type of project.

Graphic Design briefing Checklist

Strategy

1. Who is the target audience?

2. What do you want people to do / feel when they receive the item? (This gives the graphic designer an idea of the overall tone you want.)

3. What key message do you want this project to deliver? e.g. my company is friendly and funky

4. Do you have printed samples that give the kind of impression you are after? (This is not for the graphic designer to copy, but a way to clarify language i.e. when you say the word funky it will conjure up a different image in your mind than it will in the designers mind.)

5. How does this product / service benefit the customer? (whats in it for me?)

6. Have you done similar things in the past? Have they succeeded or failed? Why do you think that is?

7. How will you measure the success of the project?

Practicalities

1. What exactly are you getting designed right now? e.g. number of pages, format etc.

2. What information needs to be included in this project? (words/ logos/ images/ photographs etc) Are these things ready to go?

3. Is this item to fit within an existing style? If so, do you have samples of the existing style?

4. Do you need a new style created? If so, what other applications will the style apply to?

5. Are there any other branding requirements the graphic designer needs to consider? (colour schemes, logo usage, typefaces, paper stock etc.)

6. What are the deadlines on this project?

7. Do you need the graphic designer to co-ordinate production of artwork (illustration/ photography) or copywriting. If yes, give details.

8. How will your target market receive the designed item? e.g. in the post, from a brochure stand, via the web

9. What are the print requirements? (Number of copies, colours, size)

10. Do you need the graphic designer to co-ordinate pre-press and printing?

11. How much project management (meetings / updates etc) will the job involve?

12. Who will the designer be dealing with on a day-to-day basis?

13. How many people will be involved in final approval of the project? (These people need to be involved from the very beginning if possible so they dont put their two bobs worth in when the project is nearly completed.)

14. What is the budget?

If you brief your designer correctly from the beginning you will get the results you want with less hassle and at a lower cost to you.

Ruth Clare is a professional copywriter with a passion for putting the customer first. She runs a graphic design business, Mono Design, with her husband in Melbourne, Australia http://www.monodesign.com.au.

Preservation of Fine Art Photographs and Other Art on Paper

By Andrea Sperling

If you want your fine art photographs to last for your lifetime and your childrens lifetime, too, its important to think about where you hang the art, as well as environmental conditions like sunlight, humidity, soot and extreme temperatures.

When picking up a photograph, avoid getting fingerprints on it by holding it by the edges or putting your hands on the back. The natural acids in your hands can break down the photos surface over time. Also consider wearing white cotton gloves when working with photographs.

Consider environmental conditions when hanging photos and other artwork on paper like watercolors, etc. Keep the photograph away from direct sunlight. The more the photograph or work-on-paper is exposed to light, the greater the damage will be. It accumulates over time and one day you suddenly notice that your image has faded, yellowed and become brittle.

Ultraviolet light can cause the most damage, so use UV (ultraviolet) shielding, nonglare glass or Plexiglas to prevent the image from fading if its going to be in a sunny room. And by all means, keep the shades down when youre not using the room so the sun wont reflect onto the images. No amount of preservation matting and framing will save your art from too much sun.

Keep your art away from rooms where there is a lot of humidity and moisture to prevent mold from growing inside the frame. Bathrooms, sunrooms and kitchens can cause extensive damage to photographs and other artwork.

If you must hang art in the bathroom make sure the surface of the art does not touch the glass. Use an acid-free window mat to help prevent moisture condensation getting on the paper and to create space between the art and the glass so the paper can breathe. Make sure the frame is sealed properly with backing paper so moisture doesnt enter and damage the art. If you live in a hot, humid climate, this is especially important.

Avoid putting art near open windows if you live near a freeway or in a city where exhaust fumes and soot can accumulate on the surface. Its also important to keep art away from open windows or any other area where there can be extreme temperature fluctuations.

Andrea Sperling is the founder of the online fine art photo gallery for the home called Will It Look Good Over The Sofa. To see her site, visit =>http://WillItLookGoodOverTheSofa.com

Holographic Traffic Cops of the Future

By Lance Winslow

Have you ever seen a traffic cop standing in the center of the street when the power goes out directing traffic or after a big game directing traffic to keep the flow moving? Have you ever considered how dangerous this really is? Have you ever stopped to think that someone not paying attention or talking on their cell phone could at anytime mow over the traffic cop? Hey now be nice, as you probably deserved that last ticket, so dont go there. You are evil I cannot believe you just thought that?

In any case my point is this, with the up and coming future advances in Holographic Technologies, which are getting closer to becoming reality we may soon be able to design a Holographic Police man to stand in the intersection so you can run him over all you want; no harm, no foul.

I propose we put holographic projectors in the police cars to display the 3D or 4D in Virtual Reality, just like what Microsoft is planning with the next generation of our 360 X-Box Video Games in our living rooms. The system will run off the police cars extra alternator for juice and will not need the power grid, so if the power is out after a severe thunderstorm, Hurricane or Earthquake, the police car can drive up point it, turn it on and restore the flow of traffic without risking his life. This will insure an end to the chaos and smooth traffic flows and prevent injuries. Because as a taxpayer the last thing we want it to pay for medical bills from a flattened policeman. Think on this.

"Lance Winslow" - Online www.WorldThinkTank.net/

How to Become a Successful Freelancer Designer on the Contest Forums!

By Kevin Sugrue

There is no better way of improving your skills, getting recognised and building up ideas than to compete in the Graphic Design Forums. With so many different contest forums on the web it is difficult to pick out the ones that are best suited to for you. There are literally hundreds of web sites offering freelance services and forums.

A good way to help you decide is to think about what kind of results you wish to get out of joining. Some people join to compete against other designers in the hopes of winning competitions and receiving financial rewards. Others join up to learn from their professional competitors and slowly build up their skills and reputation. The problem with competing for money is that unless you are a well established and talented designer with loads of previous experience you are unlikely to win many if any competitions. How do I know this? Well, I tried to do that exact thing for over a year and it rarely paid off for me.

It is important to understand that top professional designers with years of experience will be regularly showing of their creative skills by submitting their superior designs. They have a system in place for quickly and professionally come up with brilliant designs to meet the clients specifications. However, dont let this put you off as competing against the professionals will help you to improve your own works.

When looking at current submission think of how you could improve upon that design. I am not saying rip off their designs, as this will lead to your account being banned from the forums. Simply acknowledge their work and come up with something equally as original based on the guidelines set by the client and submissions already present.

Here are some useful design forums to look at:

http://www.sitepoint.com

http://www.namepros.com

http://www.designcontests.net

Next weeks article will focus on these forums in more detail. We will also discuss how to successful build up a reputation.

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