#hypertext system

[zapperrr]

Securing Your Website: Best Practices for Web Developers

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, website security has become a paramount concern for businesses and individuals alike. With cyber threats becoming increasingly sophisticated, it is crucial for web developers to adopt robust security measures to safeguard their websites and the sensitive data they handle. In this article, we'll delve into the best practices that web developers can implement to enhance the security of their websites and protect against potential threats.

Introduction

In today's interconnected world, websites serve as the digital storefront for businesses, making them vulnerable targets for cyber attacks. From data breaches to malware infections, the consequences of a security breach can be severe, ranging from financial loss to damage to reputation. Therefore, prioritizing website security is essential for maintaining the trust and confidence of users.

Understanding Website Security

Before diving into best practices, it's crucial to understand the importance of website security and the common threats faced by websites. Website security encompasses measures taken to protect websites from cyber threats and unauthorized access. Common threats include malware infections, phishing attacks, SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and brute force attacks.

Best Practices for Web Developers

Keeping Software Updated

One of the most fundamental steps in website security is keeping all software, including the content management system (CMS), plugins, and server software, updated with the latest security patches and fixes. Outdated software is often targeted by attackers due to known vulnerabilities that can be exploited.

Implementing HTTPS

Implementing HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) encrypts the data transmitted between the website and its users, ensuring confidentiality and integrity. HTTPS not only protects sensitive information but also boosts trust among visitors, as indicated by the padlock icon in the browser's address bar.

Using Strong Authentication Methods

Implementing strong authentication methods, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) and CAPTCHA, adds an extra layer of security to user accounts. MFA requires users to provide multiple forms of verification, such as a password and a one-time code sent to their mobile device, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

Securing Against SQL Injection Attacks

SQL injection attacks occur when malicious actors exploit vulnerabilities in web applications to execute arbitrary SQL commands. Web developers can prevent SQL injection attacks by using parameterized queries and input validation to sanitize user inputs effectively.

Protecting Sensitive Data

It's essential to employ encryption techniques to protect sensitive data, such as passwords, credit card information, and personal details, stored on the website's servers. Encrypting data at rest and in transit mitigates the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access.

Regular Security Audits

Conducting regular security audits helps identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the website's infrastructure and codebase. Penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, and code reviews enable web developers to proactively address security issues before they are exploited by attackers.

Choosing a Secure Hosting Provider

Selecting a reputable and secure hosting provider is critical for ensuring the overall security of your website. When evaluating hosting providers, consider factors such as security features, reliability, scalability, and customer support.

Evaluating Security Features

Choose a hosting provider that offers robust security features, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), malware scanning, and DDoS protection. These features help protect your website from various cyber threats and ensure continuous uptime.

Ensuring Regular Backups

Regularly backing up your website's data is essential for mitigating the impact of security incidents, such as data breaches or website compromises. Choose a hosting provider that offers automated backup solutions and store backups securely offsite.

Customer Support and Response to Security Incidents

Opt for a hosting provider that provides responsive customer support and has established protocols for handling security incidents. In the event of a security breach or downtime, prompt assistance from the hosting provider can minimize the impact on your website and business operations.

Implementing Firewall Protection

Firewalls act as a barrier between your website and external threats, filtering incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predefined security rules. There are several types of firewalls, including network firewalls, web application firewalls (WAF), and host-based firewalls.

Configuring and Maintaining Firewalls

Properly configuring and maintaining firewalls is crucial for effective security. Define firewall rules based on the principle of least privilege, regularly update firewall configurations to reflect changes in the website's infrastructure, and monitor firewall logs for suspicious activity.

Educating Users about Security

In addition to implementing technical measures, educating users about security best practices is essential for enhancing overall website security. Provide users with resources, such as security guidelines, tips for creating strong passwords, and information about common phishing scams.

Importance of User Awareness

Users play a significant role in maintaining website security, as they are often the targets of social engineering attacks. By raising awareness about potential threats and providing guidance on how to recognize and respond to them, web developers can empower users to stay vigilant online.

Providing Training and Resources

Offer training sessions and educational materials to help users understand the importance of security and how to protect themselves while using the website. Regularly communicate updates and reminders about security practices to reinforce good habits.

Monitoring and Responding to Security Incidents

Despite taking preventive measures, security incidents may still occur. Establishing robust monitoring systems and incident response protocols enables web developers to detect and respond to security threats in a timely manner.

Setting Up Monitoring Tools

Utilize monitoring tools, such as intrusion detection systems (IDS), security information and event management (SIEM) systems, and website monitoring services, to detect abnormal behavior and potential security breaches. Configure alerts to notify you of suspicious activity promptly.

Establishing Incident Response Protocols

Develop comprehensive incident response plans that outline roles, responsibilities, and procedures for responding to security incidents. Establish clear communication channels and escalation paths to coordinate responses effectively and minimize the impact of security breaches.

Securing your website requires a proactive approach that involves implementing a combination of technical measures, choosing a secure hosting provider, educating users about security best practices, and establishing robust monitoring and incident response protocols. By following these best practices, web developers can mitigate the risk of security breaches and safeguard their websites and the sensitive data they handle.

[thealchemyofgamecreation]

Words that Shape Worlds: Crafting a Cybertext Gaming Experience

In this blog post, I want to share my thoughts on how we can implement cybertext. #GameDesign

As a passionate gamer and avid reader, I’ve always been fascinated by the potential of storytelling in video games. The concept of cybertext, although sounding complex, is actually quite intriguing and relevant in today’s gaming world. In this blog post, I want to share my thoughts on how we can implement cybertext. First off, let’s break down what cybertext mean. Cybertext refers to texts that…

[talenlee]

Game Pile: Metroid Fusion

Samus Probably Isn't Cis

Watch this video on YouTube

Thumbnail and Script below the fold!

Metroid Fusion is a 2002 Game Boy Advance game, in the practically redundant to mention genre of Metroidvania. It focuses on Samus Aran, a beloved and iconic heroic figure from the sprawling empire of Nintendo products that it uses to petition us, the consumer to tolerate this company and do not drag its billionaire owners into the streets and eat them. Describing Samus Aran is a challenge in that you either already know her and anything I say is already obvious, or you need a quick descriptor of a character that many people have a micro-PhD in. That’s complicated further because you can view Samus as a really interesting character from a science-fiction setting, with a host of fascinating ideas that relate to her existence and experience, but also you could very easily see absolutely none of those things if you just experience her by playing Metroid games. In the most surface experience, those games present a Samus who is a stoic, voiceless alien-fighting badass, dressed in power armoured that hides all signs of femininity and expression, right up until the very end where if you’ve been a very good player she takes off all of her clothes and shows you a conventionally hot lady wearing a latex bikini.

Formative but not exactly feminist hypertext, tell ya what.

I want to talk about Samus around during Pride Month because I love the character as a queer heroic character whose games are consistently very good (not you, Other M), and yet for all that it seems to me the most obvious and interesting way to interpret the character is nonetheless something that you have to get people to come to you on. I can’t just say Samus around is an obviously queer character because non-queerness is baked into our society at its most structural level. People are very good at ignoring the signifiers of probably or possible queerness, and result in a vision of media analysis where any chance of doubt is treated as a certainty, because a character being queer is the least likely possibility in all cases.

Unless a character stops and looks into the camera and says ‘I am a trans woman and my penis looks like this’ then you will find people who want to stare into the camera and say ‘what does he mean by that?’

And this isn’t a joke: Back in 2022, Arc System Works had to put out a public statement decrying English-language fans generating fake correspondence rather than accept the idea that Bridget was a trans woman.

But this isn’t about Bridget, this is about Samus Aran. Why am I bringing up trans stuff around Samus Aran? Well, back in 1994, Hirofumi Matsuoka, a designer of Metroid, said in a comment that was probably a joke, that Samus was trans.

That’s not the term he used, because it was 1994.

And it was Japanese.

And I don’t want to use the term he used.

This is not something that’s stated in the text of the game, but that makes sense because Metroid is not a franchise where we ever have any reason to see Samus Aran controlling something with her genitals. That puts it in company of a lot of other games, in fact. There are some games where characters control things with their genitals, but the less said about Mass Effect the better. That a developer said it and the game doesn’t counter it puts this claim into the space of being paratext.

There is other stuff in the games that underpins this, mind you! Particularly, we see that Samus self-augments, her body is heavily medically altered, and that the culture she’s from doesn’t have people like her, who were not born live like she was, meaning that it’s entirely possible that she didn’t have the same birthing or gendering in her upbringing that we have in our societies. If she was never assigned a gender at birth, then it’s actually pretty challenging to call her cis.

See, this is a thing about ‘trans.’ It is a term that has a pretty well-handled usage and meaning, not just in gender but also in chemistry. When used in reference to gender, it means someone whose gender does not comply with the gender they were assigned at birth. We borrowed the term ‘cis’ from chemistry, to reference something that is not trans. Cis is not, by any measure, a slur against anyone, but its use has definitely made some people react like it is. It’s because people who dislike the term cis are usually expressing distrust for having a descriptive label used to refer to an element of themselves they want to remain completely unexamined: they prefer the term ‘normal.’ That is to say, they want to assert that they are normal, and people who are trans are not normal.

If Samus Aran was not declared by the Chozo that raised her to be a girl, then her being a girl is not a matter of being cis. Neither is it a matter of being trans. We literally do not know, and English does not have meaningful language for the kind of person she would be – and in a truly alien society, the idea they have simplified human versions of these rituals is itself weird.

Of course, good luck finding that out from most of the classic games proper.

This creates a kind of invisibly queered character where all the sorts of things that make her interesting are very rarely present in the text but they are nonetheless very important to the fans who love her.

Metroid Fusion is notable for being the first game in this franchise (at least that I played) in which Samus has a voice, and introduces a second (and kinda third) character for her to engage with; Adam, the voice in the computer. It’s modelled on Adam, a character from her past, about whom we don’t need to concern ourselves because that game was bad and nobody cares. These characters have a largely professional relationship that nonetheless, some people seemed to think was a signal that actually, maybe, Samus was in love with Adam. The Society in which We Live is heteronormative in ways such that it’s more believable to people that Samus wants to fuck a computer than that she might want to fuck nobody.

This is of course, because of the semiotics.

Semiotics! Oh yes—eventually, I had to get around to it. Semiotics is the study of signs and signifiers, something you’ll hear about in nearly every communication class. Without launching into the long-form lecture, it boils down to this: an idea is created by one person, transmitted through some medium, and then interpreted by another. Of course, things get more complicated—there’s talk of target audiences, the nuances of communication, and the way the medium shapes the message. But for now, let’s keep it simple: think of it as a relationship between an encoder and a decoder.

The encoder — the person crafting the message — structures it in a way that makes sense to them, but crucially, as something another person can decode. We don’t typically send messages we expect only we will understand — unless, of course, we’re in a time travel story, in which case, that absolutely rules. Likewise, the decoder, the person interpreting the message, does so with the assumption that it’s meant to be understood. You don’t usually try to decipher the static in your speakers as if it’s some secret transmission. We have ways of signaling when something is meant to be decoded — that’s part of the process.

Semiotics, at its core, thrives on shared understanding, trust, and ambiguity. Take something as simple as describing a kiss: I could just say two characters kissed, and that’s one way to convey the fact. But if I say they frenched, snogged, or sporgled, each term carries a different weight—an extra nuance, an implication. And with each variation, the group of listeners who truly understand it narrows. For instance, I doubt anyone here knows what a sporgle is, because I made it up. But if I say they kissed versus they frenched? One of those descriptions leaves room for interpretation — a sliver of extra detail about the kind of kiss it was. On the other hand, one is way more clear about what happened to people’s tongues.

This is one of the fascinating things semiotics lets us examine—the unintended information embedded in encoding and decoding.

(Speaking of unintended information, this next detail is something I picked up from a wiki, which means its reliability is only as solid as that source allows. If it turns out to be wrong, that’s perfectly fine! The lesson still stands, even if the example doesn’t.)

Here’s a specific example of the kind of complications we get in examining Samus as a character, a character who has been encoded, decoded, then re-encoded across multiple games and multiple teams and even multiple languages. Metroid Fusion brings us a great example in the way Adam — the computer voice in the game — calls her “Lady.”

In English, Samus reacts to it in a way that’s layered. She doesn’t like it, but at the same time, maybe she does, just a little. She doesn’t want him calling her that, yet she isn’t going to stop him either. That’s in contrast to the Japanese version, where her dislike is straightforward. She rejects the term entirely, yet still doesn’t correct him. Neither of these interpretations is particularly great! In both cases, a man calls a woman something she doesn’t want to be called, and she ultimately lets it stand! These two versions encode different nuances, yet lead to the same result.

Again, not exactly feminist hypertext here.

With that foundation set—now that you’ve got a handle on encoding and decoding—I want to shift to something different. And yes, I promise, this is still about Samus Aran. What I want to explore here is the visibility and tangibility of queerness—a kind of hierarchy of queer obviousness. Every step of this concept can get more complex, but for now, I’m giving you a streamlined, simplified version.

The most obvious form of queerness, in my opinion, for a thing that’s obviously demonstrable, are characters being homoromantic. Showing a character expressing a romantic interest in another character is something we have a wide and deep language for. Love letters, blown kisses, winks, flirts, teases, that stuff is all pretty clear. Since we have the language for romance, we have the language for gay romance that’s mostly about who gets the romantic attention. There’s more specifics, more in-group stuff, like how a culture of gay repression has led to a secondary language for flirting, but that is more ways to be more specific, to represent more kinds of homoromantics more specifically.

Next up, there’s homosexuality. This you almost get as a package deal; typically, there’s an assumption that if a guy is shown interested in kissing another guy, he’s probably into doing more with that guy, because allosexuality (a native interest in sex) is a strongly assumed default.

But then things get more complicated when we move from permutations of ‘who you want to kiss,’ to ‘who are you.’ Transness isn’t inherently obvious — especially in sci-fi and fantasy worlds. In mainstream media, trans characters are often framed through a single, narrow archetype, a specific form of transness with one expected gender presentation — and it’s overwhelmingly often a trans woman and she’s overwhelmingly often a bit awkward and ‘so brave.’ That’s not really representation. It’s more like forcing one model of trans identity into a box and then making it stand in for every trans experience.

And that? That sucks.

Strip away that assumed identity framework, and suddenly, a character’s transness is only signified through clumsy narrative devices—maybe a reference to their childhood, maybe a medical discussion, maybe, heaven help us, someone bringing up their genitals. These moments break the flow, forcing the story to pause for a self-contained “transness explainer.” It feels unnatural, and worse, it spotlights their identity in a way that doesn’t allow them to simply exist within the world of the story.

But there are ways around it! Absolutely. It can be done. The problem? The people doing it thoughtful affected in-group creators, more often than not, they aren’t the ones running massive, big-budget AAA studios, the ones making most of the games you’re used to seeing.

The next step of obivous down is where things don’t even have common signifiers. How do you express asexuality or aromanticism in a character? Huge chunks of story show characters not having sex. There are entire stories about characters who don’t express any romantic affection. In most videogames, having sex isn’t even an option, and in only a marginally smaller group, having a romance isn’t an option. A character like Samus, who is shown only ever acting in crisp, professional, often even wordless ways, is not a character who necessarily is asexual or aromantic, because we’ve never seen her, in games, in any kind of context where such a professional character would consider any such interactions. Even if someone in one of the games were to try and flirt with her, we know she’d shut it down because she has more important business to attend to.

But that’s not what we’re shown, that’s what we’re not shown.

This is just something that asexual and aromantic communities have had to endure from those of us nearby but outside, when the conversation around their presence in media comes up. Because there are ways to do it – and indeed, Metroid Fusion presents a perfectly good example of an asexual Samus Aran! – but then making that text, making that explicit to the game is hard, because culturally, so much work is done to render such characters completely invisible.

All of this is that it’s hard to get past the point that while it’s paratextually stated that Samus Aran is trans, there’s nothing in the games to support it.

Samus Aran probably isn’t trans.

But she’s also, because there is no default here, just as probably, not cis.

And neither is Mario.

Check it out on PRESS.exe to see it with images and links!

[fanwork-exchange-promos]

Create Your Own Adventure: A Multi-Fandom CYOA Exchange!

Posted by: alana_exchange Dreamwidth Community • AO3 Collection Create Your Own Adventure is a multifandom fanfic exchange themed around creating multi-ending and interactive stories! The most famous of this style of story is the Choose Your Own Adventures gamebooks and their copycats (like Ryan North of Dinosaur Comic's To Be Or Not To Be, a Hamlet gamebook); interactive text-based games are the descendants of this form. And now... we'll be making hypertext gamefics! The exchange welcomes anything from AO3-only, simple adventures with HTML links between chapters to complex games written in Twine, Choicescript, or any other coding system of the creator's choice! With a low minimum (750 words, 3 endings) but decently long creation period, it welcomes both first-time novices to the format and experienced creators! NOMINATIONS & SIGNUPS: Sept. 27th ASSIGNMENTS GO OUT: Oct. 9th ASSIGNMENTS DUE: Nov. 4th REVEALS: Nov. 11 AUTHOR REVEALS: Nov. 18th comments via The Fandom Calendar https://ift.tt/8BcE75p

[worstgirl-online]

i think i would be a good candidate for making annoying christians reconsider their mistaken beliefs abt gender and the bible bcuz i love getting really deep in the torah weeds and

*holding a bamboo sliver to another of your nailbeds*

"now tell me, which happened first.. adam and eve existed as one being, they were separated into two beings, or they were assigned sexes after eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil??"

"so do we think that maybe sex assignment is a consequence that coincides with the development of a dichotomy between civilization and the wild that in the same section, as opposed to an undifferentiated edenic consciousness?"

"you're not sure??... wow, great job! that's exactly right, we can't ever be sure because religious scripture is hypertext into which so much possibility is encoded, so to ever say we know what it means as some kind of absolute that happens to fall in line with reified (or deified) systems of power would be tantamount to idol worship, and we can't have that, right?"

*picks up large rock*

[overfedvenison]

By the way, 3.5 still remains the most accessible edition of D&D Here is an actual, legal copy of all the rules because the old SRD made all the basic rules for that edition's core system free forever, even for other publishers to use That latter part might be a little fucky now! But the point is the rules for this edition are legally available online for free

[angelfevr]

[id: black and red header. akane kurashiki is in the center of the header, mouth agape and with blood on her face. there's text in the middle of the header, which reads, "motifenjoyer." end id].

hey hey!! we're the marionette collective, a plural system of two!! (vio, they + no prns ; june, she/they)

we've been writing for seven years, and primarily write fic with the occasional poem or short story. we like character driven works w complex ideas + what-if scenarios with a dash of horror . for fic, our current fandom is zero escape and we've written abt hxh, proseka, earthbound/mother, houseki no kuni, etc in the past!!

current projects (pt: current projects)

[id: header of a red piece of meat. end id].

BY THE SKIN OF YOUR TEETH (pt: by the skin of your teeth)

genre: horror

format: short story

Rebecca Martin is a college student in their final year when she meets 22-year-old Amanda West. On the surface, Amanda is kind, a good listener, and overall a comforting and positive presence.

That is, until she tells them her secret in confidence.

Amanda West is a woman that thrives on human meat.

That explains why she’s such a picky eater at restaurants, then.

moodboard | wip tag | intro post | character bios

[id: photograph of an angel statue. their face is obscured, and their hands are at their sides. the sky is cloudy, and the sculpture is surrounded by trees of all kinds. end id].

ANGELUS CUSTOS (pt: angelus custos)

genre: horror, urban fantasy, mystery

format: hypertext game made in twine

an anthology abt an angel in the wake of the apocalypse, a byproduct of the war between heaven and hell

lore doc | moodboard | wip tag | masterpost

socials

ao3 ; neocities ; spacehey

[weatheryear]

World Wide Web

The internet was created to give the US military a communication system that could survive a nuclear war. The idea was to have an interconnected network of computers without hardline routing. Instead it was handled by variable heuristics. This means that even if half of the nodes were destroyed, the system could find a way to route along different paths and still, eventually, reach it's destination.

It was a brilliant form of asynchronous communication.

Academia had created it, and quickly found great use in networked communication and remote data processing.

And now we use it to view porn. So, what happened?

The World Wide Web. Before the WWW, you had to know the IP address of your friend's computer, be given permission, and then log into his bulletin board service.

The World Wide Web was a system of protocols that created a public internet front. ANY person could find it through HyperText Transfer Protocol, use a public log-in, and access the web site. The HTTP was designed to be crawled by search engines, allowing them to effectively index the entirety of the public-facing internet.

One of the first real search engines was call WebCrawler, because it - crawled - the HTTP of the WWW.

They would load page, then open and index every - single - hyperlink contained in the document, storing and indexing meta tags.

We also ended up with MetaCrawler, that would index multiple other search engines, allowing it to provide a far more comprehensive system of results.

Nowadays, most search engines are meta crawlers, and because of the prominence of Google in searching, Google results are over weighted, meaning that there is almost no way to escape the dogmatism of Google's biased search algorithms.

And the reason we use it for porn is that this was the first viable online business plan.

[vinhjacker1]

The Evolution of PHP: Shaping the Web Development Landscape

In the dynamic world of web development, PHP has emerged as a true cornerstone, shaping the digital landscape over the years. As an open-source, server-side scripting language, PHP has played a pivotal role in enabling developers to create interactive and dynamic websites. Let's take a journey through time to explore how PHP has left an indelible mark on web development.

1. The Birth of PHP (1994)

PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) came into being in 1994, thanks to Rasmus Lerdorf. Initially, it was a simple set of Common Gateway Interface (CGI) binaries used for tracking visits to his online resume. However, Lerdorf soon recognized its potential for web development, and PHP evolved into a full-fledged scripting language.

2. PHP's Role in the Dynamic Web (Late '90s to Early 2000s)

In the late '90s and early 2000s, PHP began to gain prominence due to its ability to generate dynamic web content. Unlike static HTML, PHP allowed developers to create web pages that could interact with databases, process forms, and provide personalized content to users. This shift towards dynamic websites revolutionized the web development landscape.

3. The Rise of PHP Frameworks (2000s)

As PHP continued to grow in popularity, developers sought ways to streamline and standardize their development processes. This led to the emergence of PHP frameworks like Laravel, Symfony, and CodeIgniter. These frameworks provided structured, reusable code and a wide range of pre-built functionalities, significantly accelerating the development of web applications.

4. PHP and Content Management Systems (CMS) (Early 2000s)

Content Management Systems, such as WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal, rely heavily on PHP. These systems allow users to create and manage websites with ease. PHP's flexibility and extensibility make it the backbone of numerous plugins, themes, and customization options for CMS platforms.

5. E-Commerce and PHP (2000s to Present)

PHP has played a pivotal role in the growth of e-commerce. Platforms like Magento, WooCommerce (built on top of WordPress), and OpenCart are powered by PHP. These platforms provide robust solutions for online retailers, allowing them to create and manage online stores efficiently.

6. PHP's Contribution to Server-Side Scripting (Throughout)

PHP is renowned for its server-side scripting capabilities. It allows web servers to process requests and deliver dynamic content to users' browsers. This server-side scripting is essential for applications that require user authentication, data processing, and real-time interactions.

7. PHP's Ongoing Evolution (Throughout)

PHP has not rested on its laurels. It continues to evolve with each new version, introducing enhanced features, better performance, and improved security. PHP 7, for instance, brought significant speed improvements and reduced memory consumption, making it more efficient and appealing to developers.

8. PHP in the Modern Web (Present)

Today, PHP remains a key player in the web development landscape. It is the foundation of countless websites, applications, and systems. From popular social media platforms to e-commerce giants, PHP continues to power a significant portion of the internet.

9. The PHP Community (Throughout)

One of PHP's strengths is its vibrant and active community. Developers worldwide contribute to its growth by creating libraries, extensions, and documentation. The PHP community fosters knowledge sharing, making it easier for developers to learn and improve their skills.

10. The Future of PHP (Ongoing)

As web technologies continue to evolve, PHP adapts to meet new challenges. Its role in serverless computing, microservices architecture, and cloud-native applications is steadily increasing. The future holds exciting possibilities for PHP in the ever-evolving web development landscape.

In conclusion, PHP's historical journey is interwoven with the evolution of web development itself. From its humble beginnings to its current status as a web development powerhouse, PHP has not only shaped but also continues to influence the internet as we know it. Its versatility, community support, and ongoing evolution ensure that PHP will remain a vital force in web development for years to come.

[ogxfuturetech]

The Comprehensive Guide to Web Development, Data Management, and More 

Introduction 

Everything today is technology driven in this digital world. There's a lot happening behind the scenes when you use your favorite apps, go to websites, and do other things with all of those zeroes and ones — or binary data. In this blog, I will be explaining what all these terminologies really means and other basics of web development, data management etc. We will be discussing them in the simplest way so that this becomes easy to understand for beginners or people who are even remotely interested about technology.  JOIN US

What is Web Development? 

Web development refers to the work and process of developing a website or web application that can run in a web browser. From laying out individual web page designs before we ever start coding, to how the layout will be implemented through HTML/CSS. There are two major fields of web development — front-end and back-end. 

Front-End Development 

Front-end development, also known as client-side development, is the part of web development that deals with what users see and interact with on their screens. It involves using languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create the visual elements of a website, such as buttons, forms, and images. JOIN US

HTML (HyperText Markup Language): 

HTML is the foundation of all website, it helps one to organize their content on web platform. It provides the default style to basic elements such as headings, paragraphs and links. 

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets):  

styles and formats HTML elements. It makes an attractive and user-friendly look of webpage as it controls the colors, fonts, layout. 

JavaScript :  

A language for adding interactivity to a website Users interact with items, like clicking a button to send in a form or viewing images within the slideshow. JOIN US

Back-End Development 

The difference while front-end development is all about what the user sees, back end involves everything that happens behind. The back-end consists of a server, database and application logic that runs on the web. 

Server: 

A server is a computer that holds website files and provides them to the user browser when they request it. Server-Side: These are populated by back-end developers who build and maintain servers using languages like Python, PHP or Ruby. 

Database:  

The place where a website keeps its data, from user details to content and settings The database is maintained with services like MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB. JOIN US

Application Logic —  

the code that links front-end and back-end It takes user input, gets data from the database and returns right informations to front-end area. 

Why Proper Data Management is Absolutely Critical 

Data management — Besides web development this is the most important a part of our Digital World. What Is Data Management? It includes practices, policies and procedures that are used to collect store secure data in controlled way. 

Data Storage –  

data after being collected needs to be stored securely such data can be stored in relational databases or cloud storage solutions. The most important aspect here is that the data should never be accessed by an unauthorized source or breached. JOIN US

Data processing:  

Right from storing the data, with Big Data you further move on to process it in order to make sense out of hordes of raw information. This includes cleansing the data (removing errors or redundancies), finding patterns among it, and producing ideas that could be useful for decision-making. 

Data Security:  

Another important part of data management is the security of it. It refers to defending data against unauthorized access, breaches or other potential vulnerabilities. You can do this with some basic security methods, mostly encryption and access controls as well as regular auditing of your systems. 

Other Critical Tech Landmarks 

There are a lot of disciplines in the tech world that go beyond web development and data management. Here are a few of them: 

Cloud Computing 

Leading by example, AWS had established cloud computing as the on-demand delivery of IT resources and applications via web services/Internet over a decade considering all layers to make it easy from servers up to top most layer. This will enable organizations to consume technology resources in the form of pay-as-you-go model without having to purchase, own and feed that infrastructure. JOIN US

Cloud Computing Advantages:  

Main advantages are cost savings, scalability, flexibility and disaster recovery. Resources can be scaled based on usage, which means companies only pay for what they are using and have the data backed up in case of an emergency. 

Examples of Cloud Services: 

Few popular cloud services are Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. These provide a plethora of services that helps to Develop and Manage App, Store Data etc. 

Cybersecurity 

As the world continues to rely more heavily on digital technologies, cybersecurity has never been a bigger issue. Protecting computer systems, networks and data from cyber attacks is called Cyber security. 

Phishing attacks, Malware, Ransomware and Data breaches: 

This is common cybersecurity threats. These threats can bear substantial ramifications, from financial damages to reputation harm for any corporation. 

Cybersecurity Best Practices:  

In order to safeguard against cybersecurity threats, it is necessary to follow best-practices including using strong passwords and two-factor authorization, updating software as required, training employees on security risks. 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) represent the fastest-growing fields of creating systems that learn from data, identifying patterns in them. These are applied to several use-cases like self driving cars, personalization in Netflix. 

AI vs ML —  

AI is the broader concept of machines being able to carry out tasks in a way we would consider “smart”. Machine learning is a type of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that provides computers with the ability to learn without being explicitly programmed. JOIN US

Applications of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: some common applications include Image recognition, Speech to text, Natural language processing, Predictive analytics Robotics. 

Web Development meets Data Management etc. 

We need so many things like web development, data management and cloud computing plus cybersecurity etc.. but some of them are most important aspects i.e. AI/ML yet more fascinating is where these fields converge or play off each other. 

Web Development and Data Management 

Web Development and Data Management goes hand in hand. The large number of websites and web-based applications in the world generate enormous amounts of data — from user interactions, to transaction records. Being able to manage this data is key in providing a fantastic user experience and enabling you to make decisions based on the right kind of information. 

E.g. E-commerce Website, products data need to be saved on server also customers data should save in a database loosely coupled with orders and payments. This data is necessary for customization of the shopping experience as well as inventory management and fraud prevention. 

Cloud Computing and Web Development 

The development of the web has been revolutionized by cloud computing which gives developers a way to allocate, deploy and scale applications more or less without service friction. Developers now can host applications and data in cloud services instead of investing for physical servers. 

E.g. A start-up company can use cloud services to roll out the web application globally in order for all users worldwide could browse it without waiting due unavailability of geolocation prohibited access. 

The Future of Cybersecurity and Data Management 

Which makes Cybersecurity a very important part of the Data management. The more data collected and stored by an organization, the greater a target it becomes for cyber threats. It is important to secure this data using robust cybersecurity measures, so that sensitive information remains intact and customer trust does not weaken. JOIN US

Ex: A healthcare provider would have to protect patient data in order to be compliant with regulations such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) that is also responsible for ensuring a degree of confidentiality between a provider and their patients. 

Conclusion 

Well, in a nutshell web-developer or Data manager etc are some of the integral parts for digital world.

As a Business Owner, Tech Enthusiast or even if you are just planning to make your Career in tech — it is important that you understand these. With the progress of technology never slowing down, these intersections are perhaps only going to come together more strongly and develop into cornerstones that define how we live in a digital world tomorrow. 

With the fundamental knowledge of web development, data management, automation and ML you will manage to catch up with digital movements. Whether you have a site to build, ideas data to manage or simply interested in what’s hot these days, skills and knowledge around the above will stand good for changing tech world. JOIN US

[hob28]

Learn HTML and CSS: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

Introduction to HTML and CSS

HTML (HyperText Markup Language) and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) are the core technologies for creating web pages. HTML provides the structure of the page, while CSS defines its style and layout. This guide aims to equip beginners with the essential knowledge to start building and designing web pages.

Why Learn HTML and CSS?

HTML and CSS are fundamental skills for web development. Whether you're looking to create personal websites, start a career in web development, or enhance your current skill set, understanding these technologies is crucial. They form the basis for more advanced languages and frameworks like JavaScript, React, and Angular.

Getting Started with HTML and CSS

To get started, you need a text editor and a web browser. Popular text editors include Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, and Atom. Browsers like Google Chrome, Firefox, and Safari are excellent for viewing and testing your web pages.

Basic HTML Structure

HTML documents have a basic structure composed of various elements and tags. Here’s a simple example:

html

Copy code

<!DOCTYPE html>

<html>

<head>

    <title>My First Web Page</title>

    <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="styles.css">

</head>

<body>

    <h1>Welcome to My Web Page</h1>

    <p>This is a paragraph of text on my web page.</p>

</body>

</html>

: Declares the document type and HTML version.

: The root element of an HTML page.

: Contains meta-information about the document.

: Connects the HTML to an external CSS file.

: Contains the content of the web page.

Essential HTML Tags

HTML uses various tags to define different parts of a web page:

to : Headings of different levels.

: Paragraph of text.

: Anchor tag for hyperlinks.

: Embeds images.

: Defines divisions or sections.

: Inline container for text.

Creating Your First HTML Page

Follow these steps to create a simple HTML page:

Open your text editor.

Write the basic HTML structure as shown above.

Add a heading with the tag.

Add a paragraph with the tag.

Save the file with a .html extension (e.g., index.html).

Open the file in your web browser to view your web page.

Introduction to CSS

CSS is used to style and layout HTML elements. It can be included within the HTML file using the <style> tag or in a separate .css file linked with the <link> tag.

Basic CSS Syntax

CSS consists of selectors and declarations. Here’s an example:

css

Copy code

h1 {

    color: blue;

    font-size: 24px;

}

Selector (h1): Specifies the HTML element to be styled.

Declaration Block: Contains one or more declarations, each consisting of a property and a value.

Styling HTML with CSS

To style your HTML elements, you can use different selectors:

Element Selector: Styles all instances of an element.

Class Selector: Styles elements with a specific class.

ID Selector: Styles a single element with a specific ID.

Example:

html

Copy code

<!DOCTYPE html>

<html>

<head>

    <title>Styled Page</title>

    <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="styles.css">

</head>

<body>

    <h1 class="main-heading">Hello, World!</h1>

    <p id="intro">This is an introduction paragraph.</p>

</body>

</html>

In the styles.css file:

css

Copy code

.main-heading {

    color: green;

    text-align: center;

}

#intro {

    font-size: 18px;

    color: grey;

}

CSS Layout Techniques

CSS provides several layout techniques to design complex web pages:

Box Model: Defines the structure of an element’s content, padding, border, and margin.

Flexbox: A layout model for arranging items within a container, making it easier to design flexible responsive layouts.

Grid Layout: A two-dimensional layout system for more complex layouts.

Example of Flexbox:

css

Copy code

.container {

    display: flex;

    justify-content: space-around;

}

.item {

    width: 100px;

    height: 100px;

    background-color: lightblue;

}

Best Practices for Writing HTML and CSS

Semantic HTML: Use HTML tags that describe their meaning clearly (e.g., , , ).

Clean Code: Indent nested elements and use comments for better readability.

Validation: Use tools like the W3C Markup Validation Service to ensure your HTML and CSS are error-free and standards-compliant.

Accessibility: Make sure your website is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, by using proper HTML tags and attributes.

Free Resources to Learn HTML and CSS

W3Schools: Comprehensive tutorials and references.

MDN Web Docs: Detailed documentation and guides for HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Codecademy: Interactive courses on web development.

FreeCodeCamp: Extensive curriculum covering HTML, CSS, and more.

Khan Academy: Lessons on computer programming and web development.

FAQs about Learning HTML and CSS

Q: What is HTML and CSS? A: HTML (HyperText Markup Language) structures web pages, while CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) styles and layouts the web pages.

Q: Why should I learn HTML and CSS? A: Learning HTML and CSS is essential for creating websites, understanding web development frameworks, and progressing to more advanced programming languages.

Q: Do I need prior experience to learn HTML and CSS? A: No prior experience is required. HTML and CSS are beginner-friendly and easy to learn.

Q: How long does it take to learn HTML and CSS? A: The time varies depending on your learning pace. With consistent practice, you can grasp the basics in a few weeks.

Q: Can I create a website using only HTML and CSS? A: Yes, you can create a basic website. For more complex functionality, you'll need to learn JavaScript.

Q: What tools do I need to start learning HTML and CSS? A: You need a text editor (e.g., Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text) and a web browser (e.g., Google Chrome, Firefox).

Q: Are there free resources available to learn HTML and CSS? A: Yes, there are many free resources available online, including W3Schools, MDN Web Docs, Codecademy, FreeCodeCamp, and Khan Academy.

[mirqmarq428]

Hyperbole, the ...thing... for Emacs

EmacsWiki

It's an "information management system" but that doesn't mean anything.

Think of it as the most overpowered link handler possible:

clicking on a url visits it in the browser, even if the url wasn't explicitly a link

Clicking on a file name opens it on the side, and you can add line and column numbers ~/file:line:col

Fairly simple syntax for written-out keyboard shortcuts

Add link types of your own design

This works in all buffers. Basically it makes all text into some kind of implicit hypertext.

Also it has a contact manager and hierarchical note taking system. Don't worry about those tho, org-mode is a bit better and hyperbole integrates with that as well.

[shwetaglobereach]

Front-End Development: Building the Interface of the Future

Front-end development is at the heart of creating user-friendly and visually appealing websites. It involves translating designs into code and ensuring that web applications are responsive and interactive. In this article, we explore the key aspects of front-end development, essential skills, and emerging trends in the field.

What is Front-End Development?

Front-end development focuses on the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) aspects of web development. It involves creating the part of the website that users see and interact with, using a combination of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Core Technologies

HTML (HyperText Markup Language): HTML is the foundation of web pages, defining the structure and content, such as headings, paragraphs, and images.

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): CSS is used to style and layout web pages, controlling aspects like colors, fonts, and spacing to create an attractive and consistent look.

JavaScript: JavaScript adds interactivity and dynamic content to web pages, enabling features like form validation, animations, and user input handling.

Popular Frameworks and Libraries

React: A JavaScript library for building fast and dynamic user interfaces, particularly single-page applications.

Angular: A comprehensive framework for building large-scale applications with a structured and modular approach.

Vue.js: A flexible framework that is easy to integrate into projects and focuses on the view layer of applications.

The Role of a Front-End Developer

Turning Designs into Code

Front-end developers take designs created by UI/UX designers and turn them into code. This involves creating HTML for structure, CSS for styling, and JavaScript for functionality, ensuring the design is faithfully implemented and functional across various devices and browsers.

Ensuring Responsiveness

With the growing use of mobile devices, it’s crucial that websites work well on screens of all sizes. Front-end developers ensure that web applications are responsive, meaning they adapt smoothly to different screen resolutions and orientations.

Optimizing Performance

Performance optimization is key in front-end development. Developers reduce file sizes, minimize load times, and implement lazy loading for images and videos to enhance the user experience.

Maintaining Cross-Browser Compatibility

A successful front-end developer ensures that web applications work consistently across different browsers. This involves testing and resolving compatibility issues to provide a uniform experience.

Implementing Accessibility

Making web content accessible to people with disabilities is a critical aspect of front-end development. Developers adhere to accessibility standards and best practices to ensure that everyone can use the website effectively.

Essential Skills for Front-End Developers

Mastery of Core Technologies

Proficiency in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is fundamental. Front-end developers must be able to write clean, efficient code that is both maintainable and scalable.

Familiarity with Modern Frameworks

Knowledge of modern frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.js is crucial for building contemporary web applications. These tools facilitate the creation of complex, dynamic interfaces.

Version Control with Git

Version control systems like Git are essential for tracking changes in the codebase and collaborating with other developers. Mastery of Git allows for efficient project management and collaboration.

Understanding of UX/UI Design

An understanding of UX/UI principles helps developers create user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing interfaces. This includes knowledge of user behavior, usability testing, and design basics.

Problem-Solving and Debugging

Front-end development often involves troubleshooting issues related to layout, functionality, and performance. Strong problem-solving skills are essential to identify and resolve these challenges efficiently.

Emerging Trends in Front-End Development

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)

PWAs combine the best features of web and mobile applications, offering fast loading times, offline capabilities, and push notifications. They provide a native app-like experience within the browser.

WebAssembly

WebAssembly allows developers to run high-performance code in web browsers. It enables complex applications like games and video editors to run efficiently on the web, expanding the possibilities of front-end development.

Server-Side Rendering (SSR)

Server-side rendering improves the loading speed of web pages and enhances SEO. Frameworks like Next.js (for React) facilitate SSR, making it easier to build fast and search-friendly applications.

Single Page Applications (SPAs)

SPAs load a single HTML page and dynamically update the content as users interact with the application. This approach provides a smoother user experience, similar to that of a desktop application.

Component-Based Development

Modern frameworks emphasize component-based architecture, where UI elements are built as reusable components. This modular approach enhances maintainability and scalability.

AI and Machine Learning Integration

Integrating AI and machine learning into front-end development enables the creation of smarter, more personalized applications. Features like chatbots, recommendation engines, and voice recognition can significantly enhance user engagement.

[manonamora-if]

Project Status and Plans

All projects and their relevant links are listed here or here.

2023 Resolutions:

Get things off my desk and shelf it for good.

Avoid starting new ones, or at least starting new WIPs

Continue to do Word Crimes (and maybe Code Crimes)

Under the break:

Project Status and Current To-Do's

Future Projects

/ . /

Project Status and Current To-Do's:

Meeting the Parents

Remaster Completed - Maintenance when needed

Crimson Rose & White Lily

Hiatus - Correct bugs - Redesign the Codexes - Complete Scene 5 (and Scene 2 variations?)

Exquisite Cadaver

Hiatus - Fix UI - QoL update of textbox and translated text - Add missing scenes and Endings - Fix Endless Mode - Look into French localization (unlikely) - Fix the blog

SPS Iron Hammer

Complete Future: remaster with complete story and gameplay

The Thick Table Tavern

Complete - Update Planned - Fix UI (look into mobile scaling) - Fix coding bugs (esp. Arcade Mode) - Re-writes of current text - Add missing storylets - Include recurring characters

The Trials and Tribulations of Edward Harcourt

Work In Progress - dependent on writer - Complete next round of edit and code - Package as a completed product

La Petite Mort

Completed - Update in the Works - Fix UI - Add missing rooms, content and endings - Correct the Inventory Mechanic - Fix display of elements - Translate into English

Goncharov Escapes!

Remaster Completed - Maintenance when needed

P-Rix - Space Trucker

Hiatus - Fix animations (esp text) and autoscrolling - Add the missing content - Look into French localization

DOL-OS

Remaster Completed - Maintenance when needed

The Rye in the Dark City

Hiatus - Fix UI - Double check Act 1 and fix errors - Add Act 2 and 3

The Roads not Taken

Complete - Update Planned - Iron-out the UI + display element - Fix parser gameplay (esp direction) - Add missing element/actions - Look into French localization

Entre-d’œufs coquilles An Eggscellent Preparation

Complete - Update Planned - Fix current bugs and issues (wrong text display and main puzzle) - Retranslate to French - Repackage into one page - Upload to IF Archive + GitHub

The Dinner

Complete - Update Planned - Complete missing courses and Final Beat - Add alternative options + rewind endings - Look into French localization

Templates and Guides

Work In Progress - unlikely to be complete - SugarCube Guide: add missing APIs, commonly used blocks of code, functionality, UI changes, JavaScript code; fix some small errors, add SGDocu theme - Templates: make more for fun; planned: title page. Also add the missing pictures of the templates on itch.

Complete - nothing will change here - Tweego Guide - CScript to SugarCube Guide

Tiny Games

Le Jeu de la Dévotion: fix the typos + English translation

À La Campagne

Collision

Intersigne

Clarence Street, 14

Other To-Do's

Prompts: put them in separate collection

Empty Inbox

Re-design itch pages: consistent style between main games

Re-format Tumblr intro posts: consistent style between posts

Continue to Host Jams

Continue to Play and Review Games

Take care of those damn wrists and hands.

Future Projects

Those projects are TBD in everything. They would probably start then the above To-Do has decreased. The titles are WIP titles. This is not the complete list I have hidden in a drawer or other desk bunnies. They might not be Twine games, or IF games either...

Quest Town

A RPG-style adventure, where you play as a beginner adventurer on the road to greatness and treasure. Along the way, you encounter people needing your help, with promise of rewards in return.

This would include a leveling system, inventory system, combat gameplay, travelling back and forth between location, storylets...

Project Status: Not Started

IFComp/SpringThing 2024-5?

A puzzle-focus escape-room, in hypertext/visually interactive form. Multiple rooms with different puzzle and interconnectedness. Story with mystery.

I technically have a title for it, and the pun is still making me giggle. But keeping this in my sleeve.

Project Status: Mock-up, some puzzles coded.

CRWL Side-quel

A Razac-focused story, either as a prequel, during the event of the games, sequel, or plain alternate universe. Mainly because I've been playing him in a TTRPG session and he's a fun character I want to explore further.

Project Status: Not Started

Sword Vigilante F/F Rivalry

Because there are not enough of those, and I can just go all in with the humour, camp, gushing, innuendos and puns, and of course... betraaaaayyyaals. Think Zorro but with more sword ladies.

Project Status: Not Started

TTTT Sequel - Bron(m?)'s Quest

Essentially a similar gameplay from TTTT but with food instead of drinks. Help Brom(n?) prepare food for the customers.

Project Status: Not Started

[everygame]

Alter Ego (Apple Macintosh)

Developed/Published by: Peter J. Favaro / Activision Released: 27/04/1986 Completed: 21/11/2023 Completion: Died of old age in my bed, single, but a millionaire. Little Richard’s “Thinkin’ About My Mother” was playing on the radio as I played. “I swear I'm gonna love her… Yes, until the day I die.”

Alter Ego is a dated, sexist mess that basically doesn’t work at all.

I am so fond of it.

One of those games I found in my earliest forays on the internet, digging around for “abandonware” Alter Ego was immediately interesting to my teenage self–a game that let you live an entire life! Sure, it did it in a text-only, choose-your-own-adventure style, but I was already fiddling around with Infocom games and it wasn’t that many years out from owning an Amstrad CPC; the limitations had no effect upon the promise I imagined.

The interesting thing about when I played it then is that I remember playing it into Young Adulthood and never further. Until now I couldn’t remember why. Did I get bored? Was I overwhelmed with options?

Well, here’s a hint. Alter Ego was designed in 1986 by Peter J. Favaro, a psychologist who at the time was just 28 years old (which I am forced to admit is younger than I am now.) It becomes very quickly clear that past a certain point he doesn’t know what the fuck he’s talking about.

But let’s take a step back here and discuss how Alter Ego actually works. Really it’s one of the earliest examples of a hypertext game (it actually predates Hypercard, if you can believe it.) You progress through seven stages of life from infancy to old age, and in each, you progress through a kind of… card map? choosing cards which each contain a vignette where you have to make a few decisions–if you’re a toddler, do you share your toys? If you’re a teenager, do you act sulky to your parents when they won’t let you do what you want? And then have that effect your stats and have time pass as a result.

As the game progresses, it adds several cards that you can flip over whenever you feel like it. A card that lets you try and meet people, or have experiences with your current partner, for example. A card that lets you make big purchases that you might have to pay off with a loan. 

The goal in Alter Ego is, simply, to… see what happens, and it’s here that the game’s highest pleasures and greatest mistakes are found. I decided to play this via a classic Mac emulator (as I believe that Favaro created this on a Mac) and although I originally played this on PC, the convergence of playing this via a system that I haven’t touched since I was at high school made the early sequences of this game a brush with nostalgia I haven’t felt before. The game is at its highest when you get to in some ways relive, but not quite, the past.

Like most people who play this (at least the first time) I chose to play it making the kind of decision I would make, as best I could, at the time I’d make them, and each experience was a moment of–oh, remember when something like this happened? 

It’s not perfect. Designed in 1986 by a young, white American, there’s this strange sense of re-living your life by way of “Leave It To Beaver” even if, like me, you only know the reference second or third hand. Personally I looked at it as asking: what if I’d gone to an American high school and lived my John Hughes dreams? The game was developed in the same era, I watched The Breakfast Club as a teenager around the same time I was messing around with abandonware and using classic Macs at school... it all intertwines.

And really, if the game had stayed there, I think it could have worked. A kind of… growing up simulator. Add lots of different vignettes, not all which play every time, and then the player plays until they leave college and the game goes “congratulations! You became a CORN FARMER. You married ONE wife and had SIX children. Your dog is called JEFF.”

Sadly, it does not do that, and it becomes pretty clear that Favaro didn’t really have a clear plan or concept for how adulthood was going to work. Childhood and Adolescence, after all, are fairly clear cut. You have to go to school, your parents take care of most other responsibilities. From a western, middle-class perspective, you’ll mostly have the same kind of experiences. As an adult however, all kinds of things can happen at all stages of life. 

It goes wrong immediately. You can go to college, but there’s no clear pay-off, you never seem to graduate! Jobs are just… something you have. Purchases and money quickly turn out to be totally meaningless (there may be a fail-state if you run out of money with huge debts, but I didn’t see it.)

The problem is that Favaro is forced to flatten everything into the most generic experiences once he reaches adulthood as the biggest decisions we make in our lives–who to partner with, our careers–cannot really interact with the canned vignettes of the main path. The box art is like “become a baseball player or a nun!” but even if you could the actual experience is “what if you were a white collar worker in the 1980s” as your nun deals with getting chewed out by their boss and refused a promotion or whatever.

In many ways it’s simply a fault of coming so early. A modern game in even just Twine can far more easily modify its text based on the information you’ve given it, and more easily offer events that either relate to your stats and relationships. In many other ways, it’s the fault of the culture that Favaro lived in and which, sadly, he could not see beyond. I played the “Male” version, and attitudes to women are beyond poor; many later vignettes are basically Penthouse letters (actually, another American reference I only know second hand, I swear) and one vignette featuring your discovery that a friend is gay is… er… not good.

It’s made even weirder by how… judgemental the game’s “narrator” (read: Favaro) is when it comments on your decisions. He definitely has an idea how you should be living your life, and hell mend you for not following it.

All that said, however, there’s still some amusement and possibly revealing moments to be had in the later stages of the game. I for one was surprised by my complete inability to maintain a steady relationship and how borderline panicked I got as I aged about it! It seems like it might be fairly random, which makes how unforgiving it is almost hilarious: I had been living with a woman for years, we’d invested in a company and became millionaires, at least according to one vignette I got on amazing with her son from another marriage… I popped the question and she said no because I was “untrustworthy.” Relationship over.

I probably should have indulged less in those Penthouse letters vignettes… It was… research. For this article. Yeah. Not just because playing this made me feel like a teenager again and the teenager I was would have made all those decisions.

Anyway. As much as Alter Ego doesn’t work, what stands out about it is what stands out about, say, an Infocom game. The text-based nature of it draws you in as deeply as a book, and it simply engages the imagination to make the game something more than it is. I can see Floyd in Planetfall, and I can see my weird picket-fences middle-America alternate life here. For weaving that sort of magic, it does deserve some respect. Just don’t take it too seriously.

Will I ever play it again? As I expressed above, I’ve only ever played the Male version, and the Female version is supposed to have a series of bug-fixes and less instant-death situations, but far, far more sexism. I might take a look at it, but even if I don’t I can imagine noodling on this again, at least as a mirror into memory.

Final Thought: Worth noting that you don’t have to take my word on this game, it can easily be played in-browser, which is probably fine if you don’t have a dense, multi-layered nostalgia attached to it. Support Every Game I’ve Finished on ko-fi! You can pick up a digital copy of exp. 2600, a zine featuring all-exclusive writing at my shop, or join as a supporter at just $1 a month and get articles like this a week early.

[rainbowfic]

Today's Style is: Mobile

Interactive fiction - hypertext fiction, choose-your-own adventure, a game made in Twine or another system, etc.

Styles are additional themes, genres, and media to use as inspiration.

--

RainbowFic is an original fiction (and more) community on Dreamwidth. The pinned post has more information.