The Image That You See Here Is Not a Photograph

The Image That You See Here Is Not a Photograph

 

You may not believe your eyes but the image above is not a photograph, its just a painting of a non-real person done using airbrush, not Photoshop.

Dru Blair took around 70 hours to paint this beautiful photorealistic image - look at the eyes, skin tones, hair curls.. they look so real.

Dru has the details on how he completed this painting dubbed "Tica" - Photorealism at its best.

Related: Fake or Real Photos

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The future of computing as I would like to see it

The future of computing as I would like to see it

This diagram represents how I see the future of computing.

First we have an online service where we store our data. This would hold our e-mail, pictures, documents, videos, music, etc.

We access our data through web applications. Take Google Docs for example. Currently Google hosts both the application and the data. I would like to see that come to an end. In my model I would log into my Google Docs and set up an account. I would give Google Docs the URL of my web storage server and then Google Docs would give me a unique private key. I would simply highlight this key and copy it into my computers memory. I would then log into my web storage site and select that I want to share my document data. I would paste the private key provided by Google Docs into my storage interface and receive a unique private key from the storage server. I would provide this unique private key back to Google as authorization.

Behind the scenes Google would contact the web storage server, tell them whos account it wants to access, give it both its own private key that is unique to my Google Docs account, and provide the private key that is unique to the storage server. With both of these keys the web storage server can be confident that it is talking to the correct server that I have authorized to access my documents.

With the trust between the two servers setup I could use Google Docs to modify my documents.

I could repeat this process for different online applications. Files would be saved with open standards so that I can be guaranteed that any application on the web can reliably read and write to them.

I could even use two providers for the same service. I could switch back and forth between using Googles picasaweb and Flickr, for example. There is no reason why only one application would need to be tied to a file type.

If down the road Microsoft comes out with a better online application for modifying documents I could go in to my storage service and deny Google access and go through the process of allowing Microsoft. At any point I could ditch Microsoft and go with another service provider.

Likewise, if I want to change my storage provider I should be able to import all my data to a local file and then upload it to a new provider.

Both the web applications and the data should always be synched up to our primary computers. This way if we dont have an internet connection we can still use the application to modify our data, and the next time the computer comes online it will all synch back up. Googles Gears application already allows for application and data synchronization for offline use, and thats exactly how I envision this working.

The benefits to this are:

1. No vendor lock-in.
   We are free to change providers at any time. It is not like currently where one must choose Microsoft Office because it is the only application suite that can reliably open and close the .doc format which is the document format.
2. Access to data from anywhere with an Internet connection.
   You no longer have to carry around a thumb drive or go through any such hassle. Your data is available from almost anywhere.
3. Enhanced data persistence
   Computer crashes will no longer cause you to lose any of your work.
4. Enhanced data security.
   A lot is made of the security problems of data existing on the cloud. I believe that you are better served with your data in the hands of a team of professionals than in yours. The average PC user is simply the largest security hole that exists today. As long as the average user is in charge of their data, the average users data is vulnerable. Google is more likely to keep your data secure than you are.
5. OS independence.
   Whether you are using Windows, Mac, Linux, your cell phone, game console or any other device, all you need is an Internet connection and a browser to get to your content.
6. Cheaper computers.
   Because most of the hard work is being done by the application server, your computer no longer needs a lot of ram and processing to run your applications. You just need enough resources to run your web browser.

This is cloud computing at its best and I believe that we will be seeing technology continue to move in this direction over the coming years. The development of Googles Chrome OS will be the first of many major steps towards this model.

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The Headies Awards 2016 See Complete Nominees List

The Headies Awards 2016 See Complete Nominees List

The list which comprises of 21 categories covers different genre of Nigerian pop music culture.
The highly-anticipated list of nominees of The Headies 2016 has been released.
The list which comprises of 21 categories covers different genre of Nigerian pop music culture.

See the complete list of nominees below:
(YEAR IN REVIEW: JULY 2015 � JUNE 2016)

BEST RECORDING OF THE YEAR
A non-voting category for the best single recording by an artiste or group in the year under review.
EMERGENCY � D�BANJ
PRAY FOR ME � DAREY FEAT. SOWETO CHOIR
LOVE DON�T CARE � SIMI
ORENTE � ADEKUNLE GOLD
SOMETHING GOOD IS HAPPENING � BRYMO

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
An individual responsible for producing the most acclaimed song or album in the year under review.
DJ COUBLON �GOOD TIME & RABA�
PHEELS � �PICK UP & LAGOS BOYS� � OLAMIDE
LEGENDURY BEATS � �FINAL � BABA NLA� WIZKID
YOUNGJOHN � �MAMA� � KISS DANIEL
MASTAKRAFT � �FADA FADA�, �CONNECT� � PHYNO
OSCAR HERMAN-ACKAH � �PRAY FOR ME� � DAREY

BEST MUSIC VIDEO
A voting category for the best conceptualist, best directed and most exciting video in the year under review. This award goes to the video director.
EMERGENCY (D�BANJ) � UNLIMITED LA
MARY (SEYI SHAY) � MEJI ALABI
SOLDIER (FALZ THA BAD GUY) � CLARENCE PETERS
MADE FOR YOU � BANKY W
BAD � TIWA SAVAGE FEAT. WIZKID � SESAN

BEST R&B/POP ALBUM
A category for the best R&B/Pop Album in the year under review (by single individual or group).
NEW ERA � KISS DANIEL
WANTED � WANDE COAL
KLITORIS � BRYMO
NAKED � DAREY
SEYI OR SHAY � SEYI SHAY

BEST R&B SINGLE
A category for the best R&B single in the year under review (by a single individual or group).
LOVE DON�T CARE � SIMI
MADE FOR YOU � BANKY W
SUPER WOMAN � WANDE COAL
PRAY FOR ME � DAREY
ADUKE � TJAN
SMILE � SHAYDEE

BEST POP SINGLE
A category for the best pop single in year under review (by single individual or group)
MAMA � KISS DANIEL
FINAL (BABA NLA) � WIZKID
PICK UP � ADEKUNLE GOLD
OSINACHI � HUMBLESMITH FEAT. DAVIDO
REGGAE BLUES � HARRYSONG FEAT. OREZI, IYANYA, OLAMIDE, KCEE
EMERGENCY � D�BANJ
FADA FADA � PHYNO FEAT. OLAMIDE
MONEY � TIMAYA FEAT. FLAVOUR

BEST REGGAE/DANCEHALL SINGLE
A category for the best Reggae/Dancehall single in the year under review (by single individual or group).
NO KISSING� � PATORANKING FT SARKODIE
BODY HOT � PRAIZ FT. JESSE JAGZ & STONE BWOY
JAGA LOVE � JESSE JAGZ
OLOWO � CYNTHIA MORGAN
PAM PAM � KETCHUP
TIMAYA � I LIKE THE WAY

BEST RAP ALBUM
A Non-Voting Category for the Best Album By A Rap Artiste Or Group In Year Under Review.
EYAN MAYWEATHER � OLAMIDE
POWERFUL � ILL BLISS
STORIES THAT TOUCH � FALZ
LIL� KESH � YAGI

BEST COLLABORATION
A voting category for the best R&B, Pop or Hip-hop collaborative track (including cameos).
SOLDIER � FALZ FEAT. SIMI
REGGAE BLUES � HARRYSONG FEAT. OREZI, IYANYA, OLAMIDE, KCEE
OSINACHI � HUMBLESMITH FEAT. DAVIDO
WAIT � SOLIDSTAR FEAT. TIWA SAVAGE
NO KISSING � PATORANKING FEAT. SARKODIE
MONEY � TIMAYA FEAT. FLAVOUR

BEST RAP SINGLE
A voting category for a single (released on-air) recording of a rap.
EYAN MAYWEATHER � OLAMIDE
ASAMALEKUN � REMINISCE
JAGABAN � YCEE
CHUKWU AGOZI GOGI � ILL BLISS
AGU JI NDI MEN � A-Q
SHOW YOU SOMETHING � BOOGEY

BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE(MALE)
A non-voting category for the single male artiste with the most outstanding vocal performance on a single song or album.
BRYMO � SOMETHING GOOD IS HAPPENING
DAREY FEAT. SOWETO CHOIR � PRAY FOR ME
SHAYDEE � SMILE
WANDE COAL � SUPER WOMAN
RIC HASSANI � GENTLEMAN

BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE (FEMALE)
A non-voting category for the single female artiste with most outstanding vocal performances on a single song or album.
SIMI � LOVE DON�T CARE
SEYI SHAY � RIGHT NOW
ARAMIDE FEAT. ADEKUNLE GOLD � LOVE ME
OMAWUMI FEAT. ANGELIE KIDJO � PLAY NA PLAY

NEXT RATED
This category is a voting category for the most promising upcoming act in the year under review.
YCEE
TEKNO
MR. EAZI
HUMBLESMITH
ARAMIDE

HIP HOP WORLD REVELATION
A voting category for the best new artiste in the year under review.
KISS DANIEL � NEW ERA
SEYI SHAY � SEYI OR SHAY
LIL� KESH � YAGI
RUNTOWN � GHETTO UNIVERSITY

LYRICIST ON THE ROLL
A non-voting category for the Rap Artiste with the best lyrical depth and performance on a single song or album.
ILL BLISS � CHUKWU AGOZI GOGI
REMINSCE � ASALAMALEKU
YCEE � JAGABAN
BOOGEY � SHOW YOU SOMETHING
A-Q � AGU JI NDI MEN�
MODENINE � NO MATTER WHAT

BEST STREET-HOP ARTISTE
A voting category for the artiste whose songs are inspired by the streets. Such song should captain lingua, which may also be originated by the artiste and popular on the street.
OLAMIDE � WHO YOU EPP
AJEBUTTER FEAT. FALZ � BAD GANG
KOKER � KO LE WERK
YCEE � JAGABAN
SMALL DOKTA � GBERA
2T BOYS � CUSTOMER DADA NI

BEST �ALTERNATIVE� SONG
A voting category for the artiste whose songs reflect any form or style of music which falls outside the mainstream of recent or past popular musical trends.
PICK UP � ADEKUNLE GOLD
SOMETHING GOOD IS HAPPENING � BRYMO
YOU SUPPOSE KNOW � BEZ
WAIT FOR ME � JOHNNY DRILLE
GENTLEMAN � RIC HASSANI

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
A voting category for the best album (solo or group) in year under review, that meets judges requirements of excellence (Songwriting, production, rendition and promotion) and acceptability (Sales and popularity).
STORIES THAT TOUCH � FALZ
NEW ERA � KISS DANIEL
WANTED � WANDE COAL
SEYI OR SHAY � SEYI SHAY

ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Most critically and commercially adjudged artiste in the year under review. Overall most successful artiste for the year under review.
WIZKID
TIWA SAVAGE
FALZ
YEMI ALADE
OLAMIDE

SONG OF THE YEAR
A voting category for the most popular song in the year under review.
FINAL (BABA NLA) � WIZKID
OSINACHI � HUMBLESMITH FEAT. DAVIDO
PICK UP � ADEKUNLE GOLD
REGGAE BLUES � HARRYSONG FEAT.
FADA FADA � PHYNO FEAT. OLAMIDE

AFRICAN ARTISTE
A non-Nigerian award category for an individual African artiste or group with the most outstanding achievement, impact and infiltration into the Nigerian music scene in the year under review.
SAUTI SOL
CASPER NYOVEST
DJ MAPHORISA
STONEBWOY
SARKODIE

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