Online – Virginia History Lab

The Evolution of Ice Hockey Consoles

Cecile Weber — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 10:08:34 +0000

Gaming consoles have evolved significantly over the years, and ice hockey is one of the games that have experienced the changes. As the game itself gained popularity across the globes, so did consoles. The pixilated characters progressed into almost-real images of actual players. Understanding how far hockey consoles have come is important to appreciate the options available.

From Nintendo to PlayStation

In 1988, Konami released Ice Hockey for Nintendo as part of its Sports Series. The consoles beat top players such as Atari and contributed to spreading knowledge about the game. Canada, Sweden and the USA were some of the teams available on the platform. A few basics matched the real games, but the video game added some things to make the play more interesting. For example, instead of five skaters per team, it had five.Hot on the heels of Ice Hockey was Blades of Steel, which offered a more realistic gaming experience than its predecessor. Players had the opportunity to enter into tournaments. NHL ’94 was another groundbreaking creation that EA Sports made for Sega CD, Genesis and Super NES. Critics rated the game highly and to this day, it is considered one of the greatest games ever created. The first game for PlayStation was the 2 on 2 Open Ice Challenge, which came out in 1995. Later, games were developed for other platforms, including Xbox, Wii and PC

The Limitless Options

Ice hockey consoles now provide a myriad of gaming alternatives for enthusiasts, including online manager games. A game such as Manager Zone allows you to handle the intricate details of a hockey team like training, drafts and financials. Online technology has played a huge part in bringing more gaming options to fans. Gamers also enjoy more features when playing online like the ability to stream games.Since the release of Ice Hockey by Nintendo, the hockey gaming market has grown exponentially to provide players with fascinating alternatives. Whether you want to enjoy an ice hockey game with real players or prefer to build your team from scratch, there is a suitable console.

Poker – the Best Game on Earth

Cecile Weber — Tue, 29 May 2018 09:18:08 +0000

If there is one gambling game that is known the world over, it is poker. Poker isn’t the oldest casino game currently being played by a long shot, but the game has such a rich history that it has become a household name around the world. Of course, it isn’t just the exciting past life of the game that makes it popular, either. The fact that there are many different versions available for play also makes it one the most versatile gambling games around.

Texas Hold’em

Texas Hold’em dates back to the early 1900s when it was played throughout Texas by the locals there. The game is unique in the way bets are placed and in how the cards are dealt, but the hands that players try to achieve are the same as in every other form of poker. Learning how to play is pretty easy once you get the hang of how the game is dealt. Today, you can find Texas Hold’em games all over the world – in land-based casinos as well as those operating online – and it has become a true staple for gamblers everywhere.

Five Card Draw

Five-card draw is another great poker game that you can find being played all over the world. This popular variant is a one of pokers most basic forms and is likely the original way that poker was played. Today, five-card draw is the backbone of video poker and all of its variations, and it is perfectly suited for that role.

Conclusion

Whatever version of poker you decide to play, the first thing that you want to do is to learn the hands. Then, decide if you prefer the odds-centric versions of the game like those found at the video poker machines, or the people centred games like those you would find at a Live Casino game. Once you know what you are after, finding a great game is easy to do.

If You Love Poker, It’s Time to Try a Digital Poker Table

Cecile Weber — Sun, 15 Apr 2018 09:20:58 +0000

It is no secret that Poker is one of the most iconic casino games in existence today. It also shouldn’t come as a very big surprise that the game has a long and interesting past that makes other games seem a bit boring in comparison.

Poker’s history is interesting because the game has been around for generations, and the game has largely remained the same. It has transitioned easily from traditional saloons to huge tournaments to online casinos. Today we’ll narrow our focus to the digital poker tables that are popping up in bricks-and-mortar casinos all over the world. Digital poker tables are a lot like traditional ones. The size of the table is very similar and there are many seats around it for players to sit and take part in the game. The main difference is with the automation. There is no dealer, and all the cards are shown and dealt electronically on screen. The benefits of a digital poker table are many, but here are a few of the most important features that affect gameplay. The lack of a dealer is the biggest advantage. There is no chance for dealer slip-ups or dissatisfaction with the dealer. Having a machine handle the flow of cards based on a random number generator is also a plus, because you are guaranteed a fully-mixed deck every time. It is also much faster to get your cards. Keeping track of the game and everything that transpires is also much easier with digital poker tables, since every aspect of the game is recorded. You can always look back at information and see what kind of patterns exist in your playing, and that should make you a better player. If you are a poker fan but haven’t tried digital poker yet, there is no better time to give it a shot. There is virtually no learning curve if you already know how to play poker, so getting in on the action couldn’t be any easier.

Making the Move – Living Abroad

Cecile Weber — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 12:13:30 +0000

Moving abroad can be a fun, yet daunting, task. There are many aspects to consider, including whether or not you can get a job, how to stay living there, visas, work permits and much more besides. These requirements will vary, depending on which country you are from and what other membership status you hold. Some countries will require no visas at all, whilst others may need reams of paperwork.For example, moving to Malta is a rather straightforward process if you are a member of the EU, EEA or even a Swiss national. Malta also has a residence scheme in place which allows those of you from other countries to gain residence within Malta. In some situations, it can help to have a professional to guide you through the logistics of such a move.Most people will not have that many troubles in moving, but will still have to think about some of the more mundane aspects of life abroad. Moving money saved in the country of origin to the country being moved to can be expensive if using international payment methods. Likewise, locating a new home and negotiating getting onto the housing ladder in a new country can also be problematic. Things such as these should be checked out in advance, and a certain number of preparations should already be in place before even leaving the home country. Healthcare, insurance and taxes will also have to be looked at, in order to provide a safe living environment for you and your family.There are also other aspects to master, such as language barriers. It can be important to know some rudimentary words in the language of the new country, or indeed choose to move somewhere that speaks your native tongue. Pensions, living costs and personal finances are all things that should be looked into and sorted out prior to leaping feet first into a new life. Looking into all of these areas, and being prepared, should help give you an excellent start on your new adventure.

From Analogue to Digital: The Casino Story is Just Beginning

Cecile Weber — Wed, 20 Dec 2017 12:40:26 +0000

The world has gone digital; our lives are increasingly governed by the apps on our smartphones, to the extent that even money has gone the virtual way. We now shop online, meet online and even get our dose of entertainment online. The question is how the digital trend has affected old-school businesses – especially the gambling industry. Time was that the allure of a brick and mortar casino tempted the crowds. With a generous dollop of glamour and razzmatazz, a gambling house used to be where your wildest dreams come true. Then the internet happened. Nowadays, people are turning more and more towards the convenience of an online casino. All you have to do is turn on your laptop – or even your smartphone – and voilà! All your favourite slots and table-based games are available at your fingertips. Some virtual casinos have even gone so far as to provide a live experience for the players. All that glitters, however, is not gold. To make a mark in the über-competitive online space, casinos need to have a sound digital strategy in place. And it has got to be more than just offering the biggest jackpot and welcome bonus. There needs to be an awareness of how to tap the immense potential of search engines and social media, better to market the casino. But mere presence on the popular platforms will not do. The casino needs to create a unique identity that differentiates it from the million other gaming sites which all promise the same thing: the best time of your life. The good news is that the transition from analogue to digital has had its fair share of success stories. One thing common to all of them is the provision of a premium, sophisticated gaming experience with stellar software platforms such as Net Entertainment. The new kids on the block can surely learn from the more experienced, successful ventures.

How to Do Proper Research

Cecile Weber — Sun, 03 Sep 2017 14:03:29 +0000

When conducting research online it can be hard to determine which sources are reliable ones and which are not. Particularly when writing a paper or a dissertation for a university degree, it is very important to use factual sources. Sites such as blogs, commercial sites, and Wikipedia are generally frowned upon, but government sites, newspapers or scientific journals are all considered to be of top quality.Of course, there is also the old fashioned way of going to the library and looking through books! And even that doesn’t necessarily require the researcher to leave their house, as a vast number of books are now available online. It is important to note that even with using reliable websites as sources, it is important to check that it is up-to-date and that all sources are correctly cited.

Finding a Book

As previously mentioned books are a highly reputable source for any subject, and fortunately they can be found online. There are a number of sites that can aid with reading good portions of books such as Google Books. Many books will be uploaded in their entirety here. However, not all will be but there will still be a significant portion of the book available which can help the reader determine whether it is relevant or not. If the book is needed then a trip to a library may be in order, or alternatively hitting up one of the online book vendors such as Amazon and purchasing a copy could do just as well.

Using Journal Sites

Published journals and other scholarly articles can be found in a multitude of places online. These include sites such as Elsevier or Google Scholar. Each specific subject will have its own set of journal sites that are more relevant so it can be pertinent for the researcher to investigate these options as well. Users should note however that whilst many of these journals and articles can be downloaded, there is a significant portion that requires either a University login or purchase of an account. Of course, there are a large number of sites that are completely free and may hold the same article so it is worth searching.Bearing all this in mind, it is still important that users search for sites and articles correctly using specific keywords to narrow down their search.

Documentaries You Must See

Cecile Weber — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 14:02:44 +0000

Documentaries cover a plethora of topics and are excellent ways to quickly inform the public on a particular subject. Usually covering rather controversial material they inform through images and video and experts a basic version of a specific event or idea allowing people that previously had no knowledge of this area to gain a basic understanding of the key concepts. Here are just a few of the current must-see documentaries.

Blackfish

Investigating and exposing the sad practices at SeaWorld’s marine parks, Blackfish explores the life of Tilikum a large male orca. Starting with a chilling call to the police over the death of one of the trainers, the documentary grimly outlines the problems that come along with keeping such a large seagoing predator in a small captive environment. Released in 2013, Blackfish outwardly provides evidence against SeaWorld’s safety and ethical policies whilst enlightening the general public about the way these captive sea creatures are treated.

Cowspiracy

2014 saw another film released enlightening the public on the way farming affects everyday living. With strong pushes to recycle more, use less water and eat less meat the film outlines how much of the planet’s pollution is coming not from cars and fuel but from animal agriculture. The film concludes that eating animals is not only detrimental to the planet in its overall health but also bad for our bodies too, and it pushes for a much healthier way of living involving far fewer animal products. Whether you agree or not, it is still an interesting and informative watch.

Super-Size Me

Another film about eating healthy, Morgan Spurlock’s 2004 Super Size Me outlines the fast food problem. Through a series of comedic documentary styles, Spurlock successfully demonstrates America’s obsession with fast food. For 30 straight days, Spurlock was to eat nothing but Macdonald’s for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Taking everything off the menu at some point throughout the documentary, the film outlines the dangers of this unhealthy lifestyle. Interestingly, after the film’s release, MacDonald’s were to remove the super-size option from their menu proving that documentaries can still make an impact.

What are Multimedia Web Pages?

Cecile Weber — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 14:01:56 +0000

The word multimedia is used a lot these days but many people are slightly confused as to what it actually means. Put simply, multimedia is a site or place that uses a variety of different information formats. This can be text, video, audio, animations, photos or even interactive elements. This is in direct contrast to those sites that use only one form of media such as text only sites, or simple traditional material such as basic printouts.

Bite Size Information

With the improvement in technology and the shorter attention span of the general public, it has become necessary to be eye-catching to grab and hold attention. People also learn and retain information in different ways and these multimedia sites cater for this by providing information in graphics, video or text form whilst simultaneously providing the information in more bite sized manageable pieces.

Engaging the Viewer

When creating a website it is important to bear all of this in mind. A creative multimedia site is much more likely to be engaging to the average viewer. As mentioned before, attention span has diminished and it is now believed to be sitting at around 8 seconds. Changing the way the information is presented helps to hold attention as the style of getting the information across is constantly changing. This method is used quite often in classrooms where teachers are encouraged to change their teaching style every 15 minutes to retain attention – read, watch a film clip, write something, for example. Your website should attempt to do something to this effect.