artistic

This is your imagination on digital art

For the NVArt digital art challenge, co-sponsors Nvidia and the Society of Digital Artists asked artists to submit computer-generated images that could only exist in the imaginary realm (think liquid sculptures and slinking wicker cats). Organizers said they wanted artistically and technically outstanding images, but no fantasy creatures and game characters, as "these are too common in both digital and traditional fantasy art."

Indeed, contestants from around the world mined the deepest recesses of their imaginations to create highly unexpected and often stunning works that celebrate the boundless potential of digital artistry. For a look at the top … Read more

Take that, Bono: Microsoft will let you pimp your Zune

Like most news about Microsoft's oddly-named media player, it was leaked well in advance. But now it's official: consumers buying the new Zune devices, which are set to be released on Tuesday, will be able to customize them with laser-engraved text and select artwork.

Now that explains the tag line "you make it you."

Called "Zune Originals," the new Zunes will feature a selection of artwork by 18 artists and design studios: Colletivo Studios, Catalina Estrada, Laurent Fetis, Sam Flores, Klaus Haapaniemi, Pierre Marie, Kenzo Minami, Parskid, Mike Perry, Phunk Studios, Chisato Shinya, Skwak, … Read more

Nokia gets into the Asian music scene

Homegrown music talents in the Asia-Pacific region now have a new platform to showcase their latest song creations. The Independent Artists Club Web site launched recently by Nokia aims to promote local artists in the region by allowing them to upload their songs on the Web for music fans around the world to enjoy.

The IAC program will launched in Singapore and Thailand first, before being rolled out over the next six months to selected Asia-Pacific countries including Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Australia, and New Zealand.

With each IAC country launch, selected local artists will initially be invited … Read more

A court reads open-source licensing the wrong way

Mark Radcliffe writes cogently on his blog about a recent court decision that may have wide implications for open source. It's not a software case.

It revolves around model trains. Curiouser and curiouser....… Read more

Find a laptop to match your lifestyle

One of the biggest challenges when you're in the market for a new laptop can be translating hard specs into something that's meaningful to your life. Should you buy a 13.3-inch screen or a 15.4-inch screen? Do you want a 2.4GHz processor and 1GB of RAM, or would it be better to have a 2.0GHz processor with 2GB of RAM?

The answer to these questions, of course, is that it depends. It depends on your budget, to be sure, but also on how you want to use your laptop. With that in mind, we'… Read more

LCD monitors for the sake of art

With monitors breaking the 30-inch mark, a 20.1-inch LCD seems downright puny--which may be one reason Europe's Formac is taking a distinctly aesthetic route to market its new displays. It makes good sense regardless of size because the "Gallery 2010 Xtreme-5" is aimed at professional designers and photographers, with a "unique controller board" for color rendering, according to PCLaunches.

As companies continue to expand their thinking on monitors, we've seen designs that look appropriate for settings ranging from architect's offices to museums. As long as they don't take the form of … Read more