Episode #27: Alfred Day
Our guest this episode is Alfred Day; DC Comics fan, Disney lover, and higher ed professional!
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The Impact Of Cheating On Modern Video Games
Over the last handful of decades, the gaming industry has changed by a huge degree. In the past, most of the games being played in homes will have revolved around a board, a set of cards, or both, and wouldn’t have any moving parts. Arcades changed all of this, though, with companies making the first games consoles to replicate their larger cousins. In recent years, the evolution of this market has gone in a slightly different direction. Instead of growing, it is now maturing, and cheating is one of the biggest areas which has to be dealt with.
Like any type of game whether it's board games of the past like Monopoly or casino and card games such as Roulette and poker, there are always going to be inventive and creative ways that people try to get an advantage over someone else or the house. CardsLenses for example (click here) is one such unique system whereby marked cards can be seen via an optical contact lens. However, video game advantage has become an industry in and of itself.
About five or six years ago, video games on consoles were a simple disk, and didn’t require any verification to play. Only games on computers which were able to save them to a hard drive has to use codes to activate titles after they were purchased. As time has moved on, though, developers and their bosses have had to look for new ways to hold people accountable. This is done through accounts which tie your games to your user login. Preventing copyright infringement and theft, this sort of approach is a great way to stop people from stealing their games. On top of this, it can also make it a lot easier for moderators to ban cheats, as all of their details are saved on a central network. Of course, though, this doesn’t make users like it any more.
Most of the worst cheating doesn’t happen when purchasing a game, instead being a process which people will use to give themselves an upper hand while playing. For FPS games, aimbots, cheats, and other tools are used to enable users to rack up points while other players helplessly try to win. In other games, like MOBAs and RTS titles, lag switches are very common, putting all of the other players into an unusable state of high-latency. To get around this, most developers use anti-cheat systems to automatically remove cheaters from the game.
Automated processes rarely work as intended, though, and it can be hard for them to pick out when new tools are being used. Companies like TKO hacks can give you a good idea of how quickly this sort of software is developed and changed, along with the claims which their makers make regarding the chances of being caught. This leaves game developers having to rely on players to report those which they think are cheating in their games. While systems like this are great in theory, they tend to be very hard to implement properly. There are certain games on the market which enable users to ban each other when they send a lot of reports.
Hopefully, this post will inspire you to start working harder to spot the cheats in your next gaming experience. A lot of people find it hard to notice this sort of activity, instead thinking that they have lost their touch in their favorite games. In reality, though, there are loads of people willing to bend the rules to win, and you have to be vigilant if you want to do your part.
Easy Ways to Make Money from Gaming
Do you love gaming? Then you’ll be glad to know that it is more than possible for you to make money from it! Gaming really does have so much to offer and when you are good at it, you can easily turn it into a money-making avenue. It doesn’t take long to get started and you can easily help others out at the same time as well. If you want to get some ideas then you can find out whatever you need to know below.
Streams
When you are able to stream, everyone can see your gameplay. You can have advertisements on your gaming stream and you can also ask your loyal audience to either donate or subscribe to your services as well. The problem here is that it can take you a while before you can build up your audience and you may spend a lot of time trying to work out why nobody is viewing your channel. The main thing that you have to remember here is that streams do take time but if you are able to invest then you can easily make money from it at a later date. Podcasts are another great option as well, if you have the time.
Writing Guides
New players love reading guides. If you are a gamer then there is a high chance that you have read a guide or two in the past. If you want to make money from gaming then writing guides is certainly a possibility. You can upload your guide to YouTube or you can even publish them as an EBook if you want. You can even get advertisements or you can sell your guides for a small profit every time. You will need to invest a ton of time in order to make the most out of your money-making adventure and the main reason for this is because you will need to provide way more insight when compared to other people.
Gambling
Gambling is also another way that you can make money from games. Bitcoin Rush casino is great here and you would be surprised at how easy it is for you to really feel satisfied when you take away a win. When you are able to learn and develop strategies for online games, you can sell them while also making money from the game itself.
Trading In
When you are done with your old games, do you keep them as a part of your collection? If you want to make money then why not sell your old copies? When you have completed the game, there isn’t much point in you keeping hold of your copy and this makes the whole idea of gaming much cheaper. Sure, it may be more efficient to buy your game as a digital copy but at the end of the day, if you are able to buy a hard copy you can then go on to sell it at a later date. You can even keep an eye on auction sites to try and get a good deal, before selling that but at a higher price.
Episode #26: Brian LeDuc
Welcome to another great episode of the podcast!
This episode is proudly supported by Swift Kick, an amazing leadership and team development organization that helps people all over the country learn how to build incredible communities.
Check them out, and if you mention "Higher Ed Geek", you'll get $500 off their speaking fee.
Our guest this episode is Brian LeDuc; education designer, and higher ed hustler!
Listen to the episode below, or subscribe and listen via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, RadioPublic, or Google Play.
Episode #25: Ashley Artrip
Welcome to another great episode of the podcast!
This episode is proudly supported by Swift Kick, an amazing leadership and team development organization that helps people all over the country learn how to build incredible communities.
Check them out, and if you mention "Higher Ed Geek", you'll get $500 off their speaking fee.
Our guest this episode is Ashley Artrip, a higher ed adjacent professional stationed at the intersections of the future of work and education.
Listen to the episode below, or subscribe and listen via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, RadioPublic, or Google Play.
Here's everything we mention in the episode:
Connect with Ashley: LinkedIn
Principles by Ray Dalio
Music by pond5.com
Thanks for listening!
Putting Some Fun Into Your Business
Most entrepreneurs don’t work hard at their ventures simply because they want to make money out of them. Instead, you work hard because you feel passionate about what you do, and you want to enjoy the career you build for yourself. Of course, though, along the line, it can be easy to forget about this important part of business. With all of the serious work you have to do, the lighter side of things will often slip by. It doesn’t have to be this way, though, and this post is going to be showing you what can be done to turn things around. Anyone should be able to make their business more exciting with an effort like this.
Before you start working on making your business fun, it’s worth putting in some time to figure out why this is important to you. On a personal level, this will give you a much higher chance to finding job satisfaction, as you will be happy with what you’re doing each day. Along with this, though, you also have to think about anyone who might be working for you. People will always work harder when they enjoy their job, and will often stay with your company long into the future if you can give them something enjoyable everyday.
Achieving a goal like this takes some very specific work. Your company is going to need to go through some changes, with protocols and other routines being adapted to make sure that they fit into your new needs. There are a lot of approaches you can take to add some fun to your business, though, and this makes it a little easier when it comes to choosing one. Below, you can find a long list of a range of the different changes which can be made to most workplaces to enhance the time everyone has in your business.
Light Targets
There are few things in the world which can motivate people like a bit of competition. Of course, when you’re at work, you don’t want this to be stressful, but you still have the chance to keep everyone on their toes. Light performance targets which employees can compare with one another will always be a powerful way to improve office morale. This can be easily achieved using a TV which posts people’s latest results, along with the targets which they should be meeting. While this will make people feel uncomfortable at first, it could make their working life a lot more productive.
The benefits of this sort of arrangement come in many different forms. For one, your employees will be happier with their work, as they will be able to see direct results in the form of targets being met. Along with this, you will be able to start using these numbers as a way to weed out the weak links within your team. Of course, along with these benefits, though, you have to be careful; being too intense with these goals will make people feel miserable. Striking a balance which makes this fund will be a challenge, and it will be worth listening to your employees to make sure they are happy.
Social Time
For a lot of people, one of the best parts of going to work at the start of the day will be the people they interact with. Likewise, you will probably be fond of the people working for you, or they wouldn’t be at your company. Social time while working is one of the best ways to make a job more enjoyable. People will have the chance to catch up, share ideas, and get help regarding their work, all without having to break any rules. This sort of system works best in places where people working around each other. Of course, though, it has to be handled correctly if you want it to work.
Over the last few years, there have been loads of studies into the impact of short breaks on people’s ability to work. Most have found that having breaks every twenty to thirty minutes can drastically improve someone’s productivity, while also giving them the chance to relax. These breaks don’t need to be very long at all. As a business, this will reward you with more work being completed, all the while keeping the people working for you happy, and making the business a lot more fun.
Games And Play
It’s hard to talk about having fun at work without thinking about games. Even when people are busy at their job, there is always a little bit of room for this sort of fun, and there are loads of different ways to add it to your company. Small sports tables are some of the best for this, with examples like football being very popular. While these activities are fun, they don’t make a big mess, and this makes them much easier to deal with. A lot of modern companies are also employing the power of games consoles to perform this role. Of course, though, this will be expensive, and it may not work well for your employees.
Having the chance to perform an activity which will occupy their minds without having to think about work will always make employees happier. As long as play time is kept separate from work time, this sort of idea can be great for your business. People will respond very well to the chance to have some fun like this, making it a great way to build your team, while also giving people something to do on the breaks. TV is very popular as a substitute for this, but will often make people feel sleepy and ready to go home.
Time Away
While embezzlement isn’t on your mind, there are a lot of ways in which a business owner can benefit from their work. Companies can buy their own property, land, and other large items, giving them a lot of power to make your life better. An executive condo Singapore, for example, would give you the chance to travel throughout the year, and it could be entirely owned by the business. Whether this is for simple fun or for actual business trips, being able to afford this sort of option will be a great boon, and will be worth working towards if you have the means.
Of course, if something like this is owned by the business, you’re not the only one who can use it, and this gives you a good chance to make your employees a lot happier with their roles. Having company vacations as a benefit on their job description will make a job much more desirable. Along with this, you will also get the chance to reward hard work, promoting it in the future. Most of all, though, as the biggest benefit you will receive, this will make everyone in the company a lot happier. There isn’t any reason to keep this to yourself, as you will only need it a couple of times each year, and this gives you a great way to make people happy.
Varying Work
Finally, as the last idea to consider, it’s time to think about the boredom which repetition can bring with it, and why you should be working to escape it. Doing the same work everyday will quickly become very tiring. Most people will feel bad about their career, slowly wearing on them until it doesn’t work anymore. Of course, though, when you run your own company, you have the chance to vary your work as little or as much as you want. One day, you could be working on your biggest project, completing work which is essential to the business. On the next, though, you could be doing some accounting, giving yourself the chance to enjoy a varied work week.
Like the other areas on this list, this sort of approach can also be passed down to the people working for you. Varying the work of your employees will always make them happier, as long as the work they are doing is worthwhile. Of course, though, it isn't just about happiness, as this can also impact the quality of their work. Even if they don’t realise it, your employees will get sloppy over time if they are doing the same work. Taking an approach which gives them unique tasks each day, you will keep them on their toes, and bad habits will struggle to form. Along with this, everyone will have a lot more fun.
There are a lot guides around the web which are dedicated to teaching you how to better use your employees. From ideas which involve strict monitoring to ones which are much more free, there are loads of different areas which can impact this for an employee. Of course, as a big part of this, it’s critical that you consider yourself in the equation. Your business is there to serve you above all else, and this means that you should always be working to find new ways to make it work for you.
Book Review: Rework
My latest review is for the 2010 advice book, Rework, from the founders of productivity tool, Basecamp.
To start off simply, I really liked this book. As someone who is trying to work out starting something, I valued the perspectives outlined here. It resonated as the work environment I yearn for and would hope to create if I'm able to build what I'm working on right now. It disrupts all the norms we've come to expect from office jobs, and allows us to make more human focused companies.
Here's one of my biggest takeaways:
"Rockstar environments develop out of trust, autonomy, and responsibility. They’re a result of giving people the privacy, workspace, and tools they deserve. Great environments show respect for the people who do the work and how they do it."
This could sum up my general feelings about workplace dynamics and what we need to create to have positive outcomes for everyone involved; managers, employees, and customers. My advocacy for remote work is based in this sentiment, as well as flexible work hours. Balance comes from working where and how we're most productive. It could be sitting in the office from 9-5, or working 10-6 from a home office, or two four hour chunks split up so you can still have some personal time during the day or eat dinner with your family.
Another few points in the book I love are about workaholics:
"If all you do is work, you’re unlikely to have sound judgments. Your values and decision making wind up skewed. You stop being able to decide what’s worth extra effort and what’s not. And you wind up just plain tired. No one makes sharp decisions when tired.
"In the end, workaholics don’t actually accomplish more than non-workaholics. They may claim to be perfectionists, but that just means they’re wasting time fixating on inconsequential details instead of moving on to the next task.
"Workaholics aren’t heroes. They don’t save the day, they just use it up. The real hero is already home because she figured out a faster way to get things done."
I experience this a lot in my current job. I'm all about working smarter, not harder, and allowing myself to know that the work will be there tomorrow and it isn't the end of the world to leave and pick it up later. Especially when it's not a real emergency.
There's a lot to enjoy in this book if you're interested in this sort of thing and it's an easy read too. I was able to consume it in many bite sized chunks during some recent trips. I look forward to checking out their other book; Remote, as well as their podcast based on the Rework book.
Thanks for stopping by!
Technology That Erases Handicaps
Technology has shaped society into a compelling digital platform where everyone can buy almost anything, book a table at a restaurant, or even make an appointment at the simple touch of a button. It’s fair to say that the way people interact and engage with each other has dramatically evolved since the introduction of digital and interactive technology. But, ultimately, when it comes to thinking about the impact of high tech on handicaps, the general public tend to think of wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and earring aid. It is difficult to bring together in the same image a person with a handicap – whether it is mental or physical – and your preferred digital gadgets. The main reason for this obstacle of the imagination is that, unfortunately, digital devices tend to be advertised only for and by able-bodied and mentally healthy individuals. In reality, if you dived in the potential of digital and AI technology, you can rapidly understand how it’s changing forever the way handicaps are perceived by society.
Mobility issues don’t exist anymore
In a world where remote work is becoming the new workplace culture, it’s easy for companies to ignore everything about the handicap of their employees or contractors. There’s been an ongoing discrimination practice in workplaces, that isn’t a reflection of what the company thinks but of what the company can provide to facilitate the access to work for disabled employees. Small corridors and narrow rooms are difficult for wheelchairs, for example. The lack of specialized equipment on the workforce can impact productivity. But remote workers for happen to live with a handicap have set up their environment to match their needs. Similarly, the gaming industry can give disabled players their lost ability back, such as this Pokemon Go hack on your iPhone which lets you play in remote areas with a joystick. Behind a screen, everybody assumes you’re able-bodied.
Who’s blind?
How can blind people manage their household effectively? It’s a question you don’t need to ask anymore. They can now rely on the best of technology to ask their virtual assistant to come to their rescue. Siri has introduced the idea of audio command back with the iPhone4. But it’s truly the apparition of Amazon Echo, and the voicing control Alexa, that has transformed the lives of many people with a vision impairment. From getting the news to controlling your home appliances, there’s almost nothing a blind person can’t do with Alexa. Besides, a VA doesn’t need to know about your disability.
Autism is an advantage
If you think that working with autistic colleagues is difficult, you need to wake up to the reality of digital life. Interestingly enough, people with autism are key employees for companies that need to rely on long-term memory and high concentration in repetitive tasks. Programming solutions prefer to work with autistic QA testers, for instance, as these are better at identifying bugs and issues. Additionally, autistic workers are exceptionally gifted when it comes to thinking outside the box and coming up with creative IT solutions.
Ultimately, the 21st Century is the first century if the history of humanity where handicaps don’t need to be known. Our digital lifestyle paints a society that is more accessible for all.
Make The World A Smarter Place, Help A Student Today
The future of humanity lies in education. There’s no denying it. The more knowledge people have, the better they get at making the right decisions. The more you know, the least you err, to put things in simple words. However, the acquisition of knowledge can often feel like an impossible quest for nowadays students. There isn’t a week that goes by without mentioning high stress issues and tuition fees that students have to cope with. Additionally, the cost of education is increasing all over the world, making it impossible for some ever to get a chance at turning their life for the better. So what can you do to help students make the world a better place?
Students need support to shine
Learning is a chance you can share
You may not have traveled far away, but you probably have heard of the countries where studying can make the difference between making a living or struggling in your home village. For many children and young adults in poor populations, the opportunities to get a scholarship are extremely limited. As a result, kids are forced to work from an early age to help their family. But if you take part to the child sponsorship programs you can help give teens a chance to study and establish themselves as professionals. When a degree can make all the difference between a healthy lifestyle and a famished existence, there’s no room left for hesitation.
Fight off the anxiety
One in 5 college students struggle with anxiety or depression disorder. The increase of tech gadgets has isolated the youth from their real life, while they try to maintain the virtual appearances on social media platforms. Additionally, the desire to succeed has driven many to seek out stimulant drugs, creating devastating addictions. It’s key for the education sector to acknowledge these mental health issues and provide personal support for those who need it most. It’s also recommended for student affairs professional to take a mental health first aid course.
Teach them to study
As scary as it might sounds, modern kids don’t know how to learn anymore. According to Daniel Willingham, professor of psychology, most students drop out of college because they don’t devise the right strategy to work. The common use of the highlighting approach to remember passages of a text doesn’t work, as it doesn’t bring students to think about the meaning of what they’re learning. Ultimately you can’t remember what you don’t understand. It’s therefore key to teach students how to best remember and understand their classes.
Talk about money
Last, but not least, a lot of people choose not to pursue their studies because they’re struggling with the burden of student loans. Therefore, students need the advice of experts who can help them to better understand the financial strategies to reduce and manage student loan payments. From refinancing options to enrolling in an IBR program, there as many options that young adults could use. Every student should be able to get access to a finance expert to discuss their long-term payments, budget and income potential.
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Education pays for itself in the long term. But without your help, is there any chance for today’s students to get the chances their parents or grandparents had?
Episode #24: Dr. Emily Sandoval
Welcome to another great episode of the podcast!
This episode is proudly supported by Swift Kick, an amazing leadership and team development organization that helps people all over the country learn how to build incredible communities.
Check them out, and if you mention "Higher Ed Geek", you'll get $500 off their speaking fee.
Our guest this episode is Dr. Emily Sandoval; residence life professional, recent doctoral degree recipient, and proud Buffy fan!
Listen to the episode below, or subscribe and listen via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, RadioPublic, or Google Play.