Hey dudes and dudettes!

Today I just thought you might be interested to know how my ideas are organized during the evolution of my studies and projects. My, my, don’t be shy, get closer and have a seat *smile*

There’s a technique I would like to share with you, it’s called mind mapping. If you’ve never heard of it then allow me to explain.

That’s quite simple. Mind mapping is a visual technique to illustrate ideas and thoughts all related to a central keyword (or concept). In simple terms, it’s an easy and fun way to scribble notes. This approach greatly aids to structure and classify information, learn faster, comprehend, better analyze, produce, recall, and generate new ideas.

Its major attraction lies in its simplicity
Your Mind is Free

Remember this motto because, you see, there is no rigorous right or wrong with mind maps. It’s a helper; it’s a powerful relaxing method to untangle any type of internal conflict in your current thoughts. Just free your mind on a blank piece of paper and become free of mind. As simple as that! You can read in-deep scientific revelations on mind mapping here.

Who can use it?

Simply everyone, yeah, simply everyone. It’s effective for personal, family or engineering problem solving; educational learning and writing; arts brainstorming; business or corporate decision making, and many more.

It’s also the ideal way for bloggers to plan and write posts!
It’s also great for GAMEZOPHING!

It’s easy as… pie!

• Start with the core keyword at the center the page.
• Expand with sub-topics all around the core keyword.
• And, if needed, repeat the process for each sub-topic.

By tradition mind maps can be hand-drawn in favor of an intuitive and natural feeling, thus more personal and inspirational. I’m using this approach since a long time ago; it dates back to my high school era -  when I was bored in my history class heh-heh. The problem with the hand-drawn technique is that it’s not editable and manageable.

For this aspect the use of software improve greatly over the traditional way. There are many free tools under the GNU license such Compendium, FreeMind, Freeplane, etc. Give them a try, they are worthy, although, for me, the spacial organization was awkward with most of them and ruined my experience. 

PersonalBrain, on the other hand, got me straight by the feelings. I acquired this one, and, wow it rocks! This mind mapping software is astutely designed, very practical, immensely addictive and eye-catchy. The interface reminds me of the one in Minority Report or the Sphere system in FFX and FFXIII! What’s more the pricing tag is quite reasonable. You can obtain it below 300 dollars (CAN), no lie! Well give it a shot, see it by yourself, there’s a free trial ^^. If you don’t feel convinced watch this review by Marcus on Youtube:

Watch this video too: [ Click Here ]

*yawning* phew it’s getting late.  I’ll write other articles on this subject another time, I’ll give useful hints. I hope you liked this introduction!

Nite, dudes and dudettes!

In term of story design alone Dream Venturos represents an intense amount of time and energy.

I am performing a lot of research into various aspects of dreaming  in order to increase the realistic and scientific appeal of the series.

I am chiefly interested in the subject of lucid dreaming.

Lucid dreams may sound implausible but this discipline is proven scientifically. It’s the result of pure scientific driven Stanford research with solid proof and probability of occurrences lead by Stephen Laberge, Ph.D, with the findings of other dream researchers around the world.

I recommend two great books by Stephen Laberge himself and Howard Rheingold:

_____Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming

_____Lucid Dreaming: A Concise Guide to Awakening in Your Dreams and in Your Life

Laberge claims that sleepers can consciously influence the outcome of their dreams like in waking life. He teaches how to maintain a dream journal, build a catalog of dream signs and gradually induce lucid dreams. It’s possible to have lucid dreams at will! It’s absolutely fascinating! And it’s science! Woohoo!

Indeed Stephen is a scientist doing science; therefore his purpose in his books wasn’t to give a spiritual and philosophical meaning to his work – he did it a little though.

Other writers succeed very well with this approach:

_____The Art Of Dreaming, by Carlos Castaneda

_____The Dreaming Universe by Fred Alan Wolf

As for myself I haven’t succeeded to reach a lucid state in my dreams yet. I started to maintain a dream journal and I hope to have at least one lucid dream by the end of the year. If something positive happens I’m going to share it with you of course! However my primary goal behind this interest is to build a solid framework for Dream Venturos ^^

I would feel very honored to hear your stories if any of you, dear readers, have already experienced or still experience lucid dreams.

Thanks for reading!

My ongoing Game Developments
________Eternal Eden 2 and Dream Venturos : Season One
________________________________________ and Eternal Eden 3 tidbits

My experience with Software Engineering
________Computer science
________My programming know-how
________________2D, 3D programming
________________________More RGSS2 Tutorials
________________________________________RGSS2++
________________Artificial intelligence
________________And many others

Mathematics
________Useful algorithms

Game Development insights
________Project design, project management, marketing, useful tips

Software Development
________________Blossomsoft’s Game Engine
________________________________L10n H34rT
________________________And some more

A peek on various Gaming Technologies and Platforms
________Nintendo DSi, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Wii, Iphone, Xbox360, internet applications

A peek on various Dev kits
________RPG Maker
________XNA
________Unity
________Torque
________And some more

My life experiences
________My fabulous road trips !
________________Québec, Canada, United States

________My future travels !
________________South America, Europe, Japan

________Personal Growth
________________Spirituality, Consciousness & Awareness
________________________________________Health & physical changes
________________________Science, Faith & Miracles

________Stay tuned!!!