diff --git a/src/assets/images/updates/tron-arcade-machine.jpg b/src/assets/images/updates/tron-arcade-machine.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7671e6f Binary files /dev/null and b/src/assets/images/updates/tron-arcade-machine.jpg differ diff --git a/src/assets/images/updates/tron-light-cycle.jpg b/src/assets/images/updates/tron-light-cycle.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..42911a7 Binary files /dev/null and b/src/assets/images/updates/tron-light-cycle.jpg differ diff --git a/src/sitePosts/journal/2015/05-04-ethics-in-shilling-videogames.md b/src/sitePosts/journal/2015/05-04-ethics-in-shilling-videogames.md index 9f51405..33f28ad 100644 --- a/src/sitePosts/journal/2015/05-04-ethics-in-shilling-videogames.md +++ b/src/sitePosts/journal/2015/05-04-ethics-in-shilling-videogames.md @@ -2,8 +2,15 @@ title: Ethics in Shilling Videogames content_type: journal date_pub: 2015-05-04T00:00:00-04:00 -date_upd: 2018-11-04T14:37:00-05:00 +date_retracted: 2024-02-11T16:31:30.000-04:00 tags: games internet politics +status: retracted +--- + +With a view 9 years on, I have decided to banish this piece into the dustbin of history. + +I still have my doubts about the whole purpose of "video game journalism" (especially as it relates to YouTube), but I feel like this is one of those times where the _bullshit_ around the topic (mostly by the hateful MRAs and their disgusting apologists) has made even the `#GamerGate` _tag itself_ toxic, and I don't want it anywhere on my site. + --- [David Wolinsky](https://twitter.com/davidwolinsky) has a [great article](http://www.unwinnable.com/2015/05/11/actually-its-about-ethics-in-shilling-videogames/#.VVR9luRXbrc) on [Unwinnable](http://www.unwinnable.com) capturing his thoughts on the whole "ethics in game journalism" / #GamerGate thing. diff --git a/src/sitePosts/journal/2024/04-09-site-update-the-grid.md b/src/sitePosts/journal/2024/04-09-site-update-the-grid.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..15d6c6a --- /dev/null +++ b/src/sitePosts/journal/2024/04-09-site-update-the-grid.md @@ -0,0 +1,25 @@ +--- +title: "Site Update: Welcome to the Grid!" +content_type: journal +date_pub: 2024-04-09T22:17:45.000-04:00 +description: Some details around the recent addition of a scrolling background grid to the site. +tags: cyberpunk code interwebs ProgressiveEnhancement WebDev +--- + +Recently, I decided to try my hand at some CSS shenanigans, and spent a few hours replacing this site's long-serving background image with a scrolling grid background. + +I've been obsessed with digital grids ever since I first saw the movie [Tron](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tron) (presumably during its initial HBO release, when I was around 6). Tron and Flynn were some of my first heroes (they fought for the users), and I remember being blown away not just by the movie, but by being able to play the _same game they play in the movie_ via the incredible Tron arcade cabinet. I distinctly remember going to the Chuck E. Cheese's near our house and playing it, complete with the special blue joystick, and just like the movie, it was _amazing_. And it was all grids. + +![[Tron Arcade Machine by Darth-Wiki-Man, used under CC-BY-SA](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tron_Arcade_Machine.jpg)](/images/updates/tron-arcade-machine.jpg "Tron arcade machine") + +![Lightcycle game, screenshot from _Tron_ by Bally Midway](/images/updates/tron-light-cycle.jpg "Lightcycle game from Tron") + +So that's the "why", as for the "how"... + +The capabilities of #web rendering engines (AKA #browsers) have improved immensely over the last few years, particularly in the area of CSS effects. A link to a link to a link lead me to a couple of [stack exchange](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/44793453/how-do-i-add-a-top-and-bottom-shadow-while-scrolling-but-only-when-needed) [questions](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/63874053/any-way-to-line-up-the-end-of-tron-legacy-style-grid-half-way-between-top-and-bo) and a [collection of fantastic synthwave-inspired CSS effects](https://speckyboy.com/css-javascript-snippets-synthwave/). The next thing I know, I've replaced the site's static background image with a scrolling one. + +Except... I know that not everyone _likes_ moving background effects, so the only responsible way to add an effect like that is with a toggle that allows the site visitor to turn it on and off at will. And the only responsible way to add an interactive toggle like that is via [progressive enhancement](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Glossary/Progressive_Enhancement): visitors without JS enabled (or those whose browsers don't support [`