As suggested by the title, I've started doing reviews for the website Yelp.
Yelp is a website dedicated to reviews for restaurants, places of amusement, and other varieties of businesses and establishments. This website helps in making an educated decision on which locale to go to or which one to avoid. It's also great for finding niche places or if you're stumped on which restaurant to find near you.
I opened up an account for Yelp back in 2016, initially only having one review under my belt. However, I started writing reviews for various places that I have traveled to. This is because Yelp's reviews are only visible to those with a certain amount of reviews. While I have no idea exactly how many reviews are needed for this, it's definitely in the double digits. Ever since, I've been writing reviews of varying ratings and descriptions to make my reviews get noticed. Now I have seven reviews of restaurants and establishments I have gone to, and that number will climb up pretty quickly.
Yelp has been helpful in finding new restaurants to try, but it also serves as an opportunity to help businesses, too. It's thanks to Yelp that the lesser known restaurants get some sort of attention, while others get the message to clean up their act.
If you want to yourself, you can make an account for Yelp here: https://www.yelp.com/
They also have an app on the go, which can be downloaded for Android phones here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.yelp.android&hl=en
Apple users wanting to use this app can use this link to download this app here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/yelp-nearby-restaurants-shopping-services/id284910350?mt=8
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Friday, April 21, 2017
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Drawing Manga: A Tutorial Book Well Written and Drawn
Art has been around since the dawn of man, as a means of recreation or telling a message. It has been done many ways, but the most common one being on paper or canvas. Manga is, in a way, an extension of that art combined with the printed book. It's become a popular medium starting with the turn of the millennium, but fans want to learn to draw in that style because of it. In a way, it's become a passion to those fans.
In response, publishing companies have been hiring writers and artists to craft how-to books for those interested. One of those companies, Penguin Group, stepped up to the plate with their Idiot's Guides line-up of books (and no, I'm not making that name up). Published in 2008, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Drawing Manga teaches newbies and aspiring artists the ropes of the Manga style of art. The book was written by John Layman, while David Hutchinson provided the illustrations.
The book in question is pretty straightforward. It starts out with the basic shape making techniques, then evolves to piecing them together to make a figure, and goes on to making the faces of each character. Speaking of characters, the book explains how to make characters young and old; male and female; and even human or animal. Eventually, the book even teaches how to make Manga of their own via panels; props and speech bubbles.
The book is well illustrated and thought out, and is listed in a step-by-step fashion making it easy for those that want to follow along. It also details everything readers need to know about the Manga style without over complicating the process. This book even helped me with the creation of character art for my upcoming novel, Animator's Dream.
Overall, if you want to be a Manga artist yourself and are seeking a quality book then this is the one for you. With quality illustrations and simple instructions, this book will help those seeking to do art in the Manga style and craft works of their own.
Buy the book on Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Drawing-Illustrated-Edition/dp/1592578233/ref=dp_ob_title_bk
There's also an updated variant of the book on Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/Idiots-Guides-Drawing-Manga-DK/dp/1615644156/ref=pd_sim_14_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1HR0BZ8RYJGMTZDHCTMT
In response, publishing companies have been hiring writers and artists to craft how-to books for those interested. One of those companies, Penguin Group, stepped up to the plate with their Idiot's Guides line-up of books (and no, I'm not making that name up). Published in 2008, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Drawing Manga teaches newbies and aspiring artists the ropes of the Manga style of art. The book was written by John Layman, while David Hutchinson provided the illustrations.
The book in question is pretty straightforward. It starts out with the basic shape making techniques, then evolves to piecing them together to make a figure, and goes on to making the faces of each character. Speaking of characters, the book explains how to make characters young and old; male and female; and even human or animal. Eventually, the book even teaches how to make Manga of their own via panels; props and speech bubbles.
The book is well illustrated and thought out, and is listed in a step-by-step fashion making it easy for those that want to follow along. It also details everything readers need to know about the Manga style without over complicating the process. This book even helped me with the creation of character art for my upcoming novel, Animator's Dream.
Overall, if you want to be a Manga artist yourself and are seeking a quality book then this is the one for you. With quality illustrations and simple instructions, this book will help those seeking to do art in the Manga style and craft works of their own.
Buy the book on Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Drawing-Illustrated-Edition/dp/1592578233/ref=dp_ob_title_bk
There's also an updated variant of the book on Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/Idiots-Guides-Drawing-Manga-DK/dp/1615644156/ref=pd_sim_14_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1HR0BZ8RYJGMTZDHCTMT
Monday, October 5, 2015
The Martian: A bold movie going back to where man has gone before
Warning: Spoilers ahead, though you're going to ignore this warning because curiosity
Fall movies are not as monumental or spectacular as summer movies, but they compensate for emphasis on storytelling and character. Most of these fall movies are deeper compared to other seasonal films, and they often have the goal of attracting academy awards. Some are worthy of these awards, others are genuine stinkers.
The Martian, directed by Ridley Scott, is in line with the former. Based off of the Andy Weir novel of the same name, The Martian is the tale of an astronaut trying to survive on Mars after failing to evacuate during a storm. It features Matt Damon, having seen experience in a space oriented film in Interstellar, as well as Jeff Daniels; Sean Bean; Kristen Wiig; and Jessica Chastain.
The movie is about astronaut Mark Watney as he is stranded on Mars after a failed attempt at escaping during a storm. Using his knowledge of botany, he finds a way to grow food and survive longer until help arrives. The help in question comes from NASA, but back at NASA there's internal strife between members over how to maintain NASA's image. China eventually enters the fray, but they also debate on whether to help NASA with saving Watney. All the while Watney endures the perils of surviving on another planet and scavenges for supplies and equipment to hold out. Eventually, both NASA and China's Space Program work together to help bring Watney home alive and in one piece.
The movie stands out at how accurate it is with presenting what colonizing Mars would be like if a single person had to survive on the planet. It also portrays the politics of space program missions with deep intensity, as Jeff Daniels' character makes decisions based on maintaining NASA's image. It's also unique in that the film has a high degree of realism; there are no hostile aliens, rogue robots or androids, backstabbing or crazed humans, or anything of the sort. It's just an astronaut trying to get home.
The only issue is that some of the characters are not fully used in the film. While the story is about an astronaut trying to get home, the politics of the space programs also constitute importance. It's also the result of characters coming together to solve a problem that result in the conflict's resolution. The music score, while fitting, could have also used extra kick.
At the end of the day, it's the first good Ridley Scott film for the first time in years. It also marks a return to his science fiction roots, though calling this work science fiction is a bit of a stretch. This genre is better labeled as speculative fiction, about what could happen if a mission goes wrong and someone is forced to survived on another planet. That said, it's a sign of a director getting his groove back and showing that he can make good films once again. The Martian is also one of the finer films
to be released in a glut of sequel stagnation and mediocre adaptations. That is something that cannot be said for other films.
Fall movies are not as monumental or spectacular as summer movies, but they compensate for emphasis on storytelling and character. Most of these fall movies are deeper compared to other seasonal films, and they often have the goal of attracting academy awards. Some are worthy of these awards, others are genuine stinkers.
The Martian, directed by Ridley Scott, is in line with the former. Based off of the Andy Weir novel of the same name, The Martian is the tale of an astronaut trying to survive on Mars after failing to evacuate during a storm. It features Matt Damon, having seen experience in a space oriented film in Interstellar, as well as Jeff Daniels; Sean Bean; Kristen Wiig; and Jessica Chastain.
The movie is about astronaut Mark Watney as he is stranded on Mars after a failed attempt at escaping during a storm. Using his knowledge of botany, he finds a way to grow food and survive longer until help arrives. The help in question comes from NASA, but back at NASA there's internal strife between members over how to maintain NASA's image. China eventually enters the fray, but they also debate on whether to help NASA with saving Watney. All the while Watney endures the perils of surviving on another planet and scavenges for supplies and equipment to hold out. Eventually, both NASA and China's Space Program work together to help bring Watney home alive and in one piece.
The movie stands out at how accurate it is with presenting what colonizing Mars would be like if a single person had to survive on the planet. It also portrays the politics of space program missions with deep intensity, as Jeff Daniels' character makes decisions based on maintaining NASA's image. It's also unique in that the film has a high degree of realism; there are no hostile aliens, rogue robots or androids, backstabbing or crazed humans, or anything of the sort. It's just an astronaut trying to get home.
The only issue is that some of the characters are not fully used in the film. While the story is about an astronaut trying to get home, the politics of the space programs also constitute importance. It's also the result of characters coming together to solve a problem that result in the conflict's resolution. The music score, while fitting, could have also used extra kick.
At the end of the day, it's the first good Ridley Scott film for the first time in years. It also marks a return to his science fiction roots, though calling this work science fiction is a bit of a stretch. This genre is better labeled as speculative fiction, about what could happen if a mission goes wrong and someone is forced to survived on another planet. That said, it's a sign of a director getting his groove back and showing that he can make good films once again. The Martian is also one of the finer films
to be released in a glut of sequel stagnation and mediocre adaptations. That is something that cannot be said for other films.
Sunday, September 20, 2015
A hub for USBs: The IOGEAR USB 3.0 Hub
USB devices are commonplace in the world nowadays. Card readers for SD cards have them; smartphones can connect to USB ports for charging and data; external devices like keyboards, mice and external drives require USB ports to even work. They're also evolving with different standards that increase compatibility and speed. Alas, as we get more devices with USB it gets harder to find places to plug them all in. Eventually, it comes down to finding a hub to connect everything.
A company named IOGEAR was one of many companies that heeded the call to make these products. Some succeeded in rising to the occasion, while others were left in the dust and forgotten. IOGEAR is best categorized in the former, thanks to their USB 3.0 SuperSpeed 4-Port hub. This USB hub offers the latest in offering extra space for USB devices. It utilizes USB 3.0, which is faster compared to USBs 2.0 and 1.1. Speaking of which, there is compatibility for the latter two in case you have devices that are not USB 3.0.
Installation is simple: plug in the power adapter to the USB hub; plug the USB cable into the hub and to your computer; and then let your computer find the drivers to the USB hub.
I've been using this for some time now and have yet to find any problems, so long as the hub is plugged in to the computer directly. This is great because I have a place for my many USB flash drives so I can back up small files and documents on them. I can also have a dedicated USB port for my external hard drive again to make room for the aforementioned USB flash drives. A great product for those looking for the latest USB hub.
The IOGEAR USB 3.0 hub can be purchased here: http://www.amazon.com/IOGEAR-SuperSpeed-USB-4-Port-GUH374/dp/B006DEBNLW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1442758073&sr=8-3&keywords=iogear+usb+hub
A company named IOGEAR was one of many companies that heeded the call to make these products. Some succeeded in rising to the occasion, while others were left in the dust and forgotten. IOGEAR is best categorized in the former, thanks to their USB 3.0 SuperSpeed 4-Port hub. This USB hub offers the latest in offering extra space for USB devices. It utilizes USB 3.0, which is faster compared to USBs 2.0 and 1.1. Speaking of which, there is compatibility for the latter two in case you have devices that are not USB 3.0.
Installation is simple: plug in the power adapter to the USB hub; plug the USB cable into the hub and to your computer; and then let your computer find the drivers to the USB hub.
I've been using this for some time now and have yet to find any problems, so long as the hub is plugged in to the computer directly. This is great because I have a place for my many USB flash drives so I can back up small files and documents on them. I can also have a dedicated USB port for my external hard drive again to make room for the aforementioned USB flash drives. A great product for those looking for the latest USB hub.
The IOGEAR USB 3.0 hub can be purchased here: http://www.amazon.com/IOGEAR-SuperSpeed-USB-4-Port-GUH374/dp/B006DEBNLW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1442758073&sr=8-3&keywords=iogear+usb+hub
Thursday, September 3, 2015
The Anker Bluetooth Keyboard: A Great Hardware Piece
The QWERTY keyboard; a staple of computer users since its inception, and is practically required next to the mouse to even operate a computer. Over time, however, keyboards change along with the world around them. They get new types of connections; can be used over a wide area of operating systems; even have additional buttons for exclusive features. In the case of Anker's Bluetooth keyboard, they become wireless.
Introductions out of the way, the Anker Bluetooth keyboard is a compact keyboard that can be used with anything that has support for Bluetooth hardware. Ranging from computers with either built-in or added on Bluetooth radios; Android devices like the Samsung Galaxy lineup; Apple's iOS systems; even Sony's PlayStation 3 supports this keyboard.
Pairing is simple. Turn on the keyboard, press the blue Fn key and the Z key, activate the Bluetooth finder on whatever device you have, pair the device by inputting the code that pops up, and you're done. Oh, and don't forget to charge the device up in case it doesn't have power.
The keyboard is more or less a bang for one's buck, costing only $16 online at amazon.com and working just as well as any keyboard. Highly recommended.
Buy this keyboard discussed in this blog here:
Amazon.com - Anker Bluetooth Keyboard
Introductions out of the way, the Anker Bluetooth keyboard is a compact keyboard that can be used with anything that has support for Bluetooth hardware. Ranging from computers with either built-in or added on Bluetooth radios; Android devices like the Samsung Galaxy lineup; Apple's iOS systems; even Sony's PlayStation 3 supports this keyboard.
Pairing is simple. Turn on the keyboard, press the blue Fn key and the Z key, activate the Bluetooth finder on whatever device you have, pair the device by inputting the code that pops up, and you're done. Oh, and don't forget to charge the device up in case it doesn't have power.
The keyboard is more or less a bang for one's buck, costing only $16 online at amazon.com and working just as well as any keyboard. Highly recommended.
Buy this keyboard discussed in this blog here:
Amazon.com - Anker Bluetooth Keyboard
Thursday, August 27, 2015
ReTrak Selfie Stick: Self-Indulging and Self-Satisfying
First and foremost, the Selfie Stick by ReTrak can be purchased on Amazon.com for $20 here: ReTrak Selfie Stick with Bluetooth
The Selfie Stick: a product of smartphone owners around the world who want to be able to take pictures of themselves without exposing the smartphone in question. While no substitute for dedicated cameras with tripods or even high powered compact point and shoot cameras, it's great for if you have a phone with a high quality camera built in and need a stable hand for photography. So how does the Selfie Stick by ReTrak stack up?
The device in question is well built, not feeling like it's going to break but not too durable at the same time.
Operating the device is easy. The phone goes on the clamp at the end of the stick, and in the case of the model that I am using, has a switch on the bottom to turn the Selfie Stick's Bluetooth function on or off. Pairing the phone with the stick varies between phone models but it's a matter of going through menus and following instructions. There's a button on the stick allowing the picture to be taken when phones are in camera mode.
The only bad thing about the Selfie Stick is that the clamp part tends to flip when trying to extend outwards. This could be based on me using my Samsung Galaxy S4 phone while operating the Selfie Stick, however.
In conclusion, this is a great device for taking pictures of yourself or your friends but you don't have a dedicated camera. Smartphones are common place and almost everyone has one, so if you want a tool in assisting that camera app the ReTrak Selfie Stick is for you.
The Selfie Stick: a product of smartphone owners around the world who want to be able to take pictures of themselves without exposing the smartphone in question. While no substitute for dedicated cameras with tripods or even high powered compact point and shoot cameras, it's great for if you have a phone with a high quality camera built in and need a stable hand for photography. So how does the Selfie Stick by ReTrak stack up?
The device in question is well built, not feeling like it's going to break but not too durable at the same time.
Operating the device is easy. The phone goes on the clamp at the end of the stick, and in the case of the model that I am using, has a switch on the bottom to turn the Selfie Stick's Bluetooth function on or off. Pairing the phone with the stick varies between phone models but it's a matter of going through menus and following instructions. There's a button on the stick allowing the picture to be taken when phones are in camera mode.
The only bad thing about the Selfie Stick is that the clamp part tends to flip when trying to extend outwards. This could be based on me using my Samsung Galaxy S4 phone while operating the Selfie Stick, however.
In conclusion, this is a great device for taking pictures of yourself or your friends but you don't have a dedicated camera. Smartphones are common place and almost everyone has one, so if you want a tool in assisting that camera app the ReTrak Selfie Stick is for you.
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