A foundational text offering a unified design vocabulary and a common methodology for maximizing the expressive power of digital artifacts. Digital artifacts from iPads to databases pervade our lives, and the design decisions that shape them affect how we think, act, communicate, and understand the world. But the pace of change has been so rapid that technical innovation is outstripping design. Interactors are often mystified and frustrated by their enticing but confusing new devices; meanwhile, product design teams struggle to articulate shared and enduring design goals. With Inventing the Medium, Janet Murray provides a unified vocabulary and a common methodology for the design of digital objects and environments. It will be an essential guide for both students and practitioners in this evolving field. Murray explains that innovative interaction designers should think of all objects made with bits—whether games or Web pages, robots or the latest killer apps—as belonging to a single new medium: the digital medium. Designers can speed the process of useful and lasting innovation by focusing on the collective cultural task of inventing this new medium. Exploring strategies for maximizing the expressive power of digital artifacts, Murray identifies and examines four representational affordances of digital environments that provide the core palette for designers across applications: computational procedures, user participation, navigable space, and encyclopedic capacity. Each chapter includes a set of Design Explorations—creative exercises for students and thought experiments for practitioners—that allow readers to apply the ideas in the chapter to particular design problems. Inventing the Medium also provides more than 200 illustrations of specific design strategies drawn from multiple genres and platforms and a glossary of design concepts.
Updated for RPG Maker MV using JavaScript, Make a 2D RPG in a Weekend shows you how to create your very own dungeon crawler game in RPG Maker MV in a single weekend. The entire process, from start to finish, is covered within this book. You will see a variety of dungeon maps and events, all broken down for your convenience.One of the hardest parts of game development is actually finishing a game, but it is also one of the most important steps on the way to becoming a game developer. If you have yet to finish a game, this book will give you the confidence and resources you need to finally be able to create your very own RPG. Once you've completed the game in this book, you'll be able to modify it as much as you like, adding new monsters and quests, and you'll have the skills to go on to create your second game all by yourself. Among the topics covered in this book are: Creating various types of enemy encounters via the use of the eventing system, and JavaScript replacing the old Ruby commands. Creating a special area that allows the player to pick their character of choice instead of being forced to play a particular character. Clever uses of events to create items that allow the player to return to town instantly and summon vehicles to their side. What You'll Learn: Create playable characters that have different attributes and play styles. Create a wide variety of weapons, armors, and items for the player to purchase, find, and use. JavaScript is now used throughout. Design dungeon levels with specific goals in mind. Create treasure chests with random contents or contents based on the player’s character. Create doors that require keys or puzzles to unlock. Create a variety of enemy encounters. Who This Book is For: Make a 2D RPG in a Weekend is for anyone who has ever wanted to create a game from scratch. All you need is this book and a copy of RPG Maker MV.
A uniquely practical approach to intellectual property law: unfold the problem, reveal the law, apply to life. Using this new and innovative textbook, students are given a problem scenario to unfold; as they do this they will learn to understand the key questions and issues surrounding each area of intellectual property law. As each problem is explored, clear explanations reveal the central legal concepts underpinning the relevant topic. Further illustrations and references to the problem apply the law, enabling students to see for themselves how the law interacts with everyday life and business and giving them a deep and practical understanding. Online Resources A range of additional online resources are provided online, including guidance on how to approach the questions contained in the book, regular updates on legal developments, links to useful websites, and examples of relevant documents.
In the world of law enforcement art and antiquity crime has in the past usually assumed a place of low interest and priority. That situation has now slowly begun to change on both the local and international level as criminals, encouraged in part by the record sums now being paid for art treasures, are now seeking to exploit the art market more systematically by means of theft, fraud and looting. In this collection academics and practitioners from Australasia, Europe and North America combine to examine the challenges presented to the criminal justice system by these developments. Best practice methods of detecting, investigating, prosecuting and preventing such crimes are explored. This book will be of interest and use to academics and practitioners alike in the areas of law, crime and justice.
Database Management Using AI: A Comprehensive Guide is a professional yet accessible exploration of how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the world of database management. Designed for database administrators, data scientists, and tech enthusiasts, this book walks readers through the transformative impact of AI on modern data systems. The guide begins with the fundamentals of database management, covering key concepts such as data models, SQL, and the principles of database design. From there, it delves into the powerful role AI plays in optimizing database performance, enhancing security, and automating complex tasks like data retrieval, query optimization, and schema design. The book doesn't stop at theory. It brings AI to life with practical case studies showing how AI-driven database systems are being used in industries such as e-commerce, healthcare, finance, and logistics. These real-world examples demonstrate AI's role in improving efficiency, reducing errors, and driving intelligent decision-making. Key topics covered include: Introduction to Database Systems: Fundamentals of database management, from relational databases to modern NoSQL systems. AI Integration: How AI enhances database performance, automates routine tasks, and strengthens security. Real-World Applications: Case studies from diverse sectors like healthcare, finance, and retail, showcasing the practical impact of AI in database management. Predictive Analytics and Data Mining: How AI tools leverage data to make accurate predictions and uncover trends. Future Trends: Explore cutting-edge innovations like autonomous databases and cloud-based AI solutions that are shaping the future of data management. With its clear explanations and actionable insights, Database Management Using AI equips readers with the knowledge to navigate the fast-evolving landscape of AI-powered databases, making it a must-have resource for those looking to stay ahead in the digital age.