Make Your Own Movie with Moviestorm

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Moviestorm. All opinions are 100% mine.

Moviestorm makes making movies easy. It is something most people can do, since it does not require any previous experience in movie making or animation. For those that want something very beginner they even have Photostorm that puts your photos into a movie. Now that is something I can easily do on my own with iMovie.

The whole easy movie making idea sounds interesting, though. It would be fun to make an animated movie version of some of my Penguin History Comics ideas, especially the Liberty Bell issue that currently has me stumped in comic format, but the script would be great for a short animated clip. The plot involves mostly one scene with flashbacks to the past, but it keeps seeming odd. Perhaps with animation it would work better at least transition wise.

The basic set up for Moviestorm is free. There is also additional features such as more characters and props. They also have Moviestorm subscriptions, which give you a discount on the added ons. Overall it looks like a decent deal. Only issue is it is only for Windows or newer Macs. I use an older Mac and nothing will entice me to stop. I would rather just not do things than switch computers.

iPhone Game Screenshots: Diamond on Papaya

Diamond is a game from Papaya. Not sure if they have it on its own, but it is in the Papaya pack of games. It is fun because it is like Bejeweled, but free and played live against opponents. The graphics are not a cool as Bejeweled, but the online aspect of playing against others is awesome. I find this game addicting even though it can be a battery sucker, but so are pretty much all apps.

Click on the thumbnails below to see a larger version of the screenshots.

Note: Papaya apps are currently missing from the app store. A note in the app yesterday (12/2/09) said that they are working with iTunes to get the issue fixed.

iPhone Game Screenshots: Puzzle Bobble on Papaya

Puzzle Bobble is part of the Papaya mobiles games. It is one of the fun puzzle games. I really like that you can play live against others. However, sometimes it is annoying as the other person can just sit there doing nothing and you can never beat them without a special. Overall pretty decent colorful graphics game.

*Note: As of 12/2/09 the Papaya games seem to be missing from the app store. Here's to hoping they come back, though, as they are awesome.

Get Your Masters of Arts in Teaching Online from USC

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of USC. All opinions are 100% mine.

Are you a teacher or aspiring teacher looking to get your Masters of Arts in Teaching? Did you know you could get it with an online degree program from a prestigious university? The University of Southern California's School of Education is not only ranked #22 in the United States, but it also offers an online degree option. The program revolves around a very interactive online aspect that is coupled with doing field experience in your local area. There is even an accelerated program that allows you to get the degree in as little as a year. The program includes offerings for aspiring teachers to gain their Masters as well as ones geared towards current teachers wishing to elevate their careers.

One of the most unique aspects of USC's Masters of Arts in Teaching program is that it offers a special groundbreaking reimbursement program. It is also offers the benefits and status of being a full time USC student even if you are doing the online program. The benefits include participating in the commencement ceremony and lifetime Alumni Association membership for free. Request program information from USC whether your just want to enhance your teaching credentials or want to get started on the path of becoming a teacher.

iPhone Game Screenshots: Spongebob Squarepants Diner Dash Lite

Spongebob Squarepants Diner Dash is not really all that special of a Diner Dash. It is basically the same as Diner Dash, but with a Spongebob theme. I do not like Spongebob, but this game is not bad since it is basically is Diner Dash, which I think is a great game. Really not worth getting, though if you already have Diner Dash unless you are majorly a Spongebob fan.

Click on the thumbnails below to see a larger version of the screenshots.

Click below to get the game for yourself.

iPhone Game Screenshots: Waterslide Extreme

Waterslide is an interesting game. You race through 9 stages of waterslides. As you race you try to collect gems while avoiding crabs and ducks. Overall it is somewhat fun, but it is easy to beat with very short levels and not much challenge. At least the tilting controls work pretty good.

Click on the thumbnails below to see a larger version of the screenshots.

Click below to get the app for yourself.

Holiday Airfare Deals from my Friend in Paradise!

This is a sponsored guest post written by Ali Kendall on behalf of airfare-now.com. Post powered by Sponzai.

Just wanted to send a quick "shout-out" across the Pacific to my friend Ali in sunny Honolulu, Hawaii!

Ali runs the airfare-now.com website with all kinds of tips, coupons, strategies, etc. for findng holiday airfare deals. Now airfare comparison travel sites have come a long way in the past few years but there are still literally thousands of them to choose from. So here's a big aloha and mahalo to Ali for keeping it simple on a pretty nifty little travel website!

 

iPhone Game Screenshots: How Big of a Disney Fan Are You?

This is a simple quiz that is part of the Disney.com app games. It is kind of minimal, especially when compared to the Disney Fans Fun Facts Trivia that is part of the same app. Kind of interesting the first time, but not much to it after being proved an Ultimate Disney Fan after my first try.

Click on the thumbnails below to see a larger version of the screenshots.

Tofurky & Gravy Jones Soda - Game Fuel for Thanksgiving?

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Jones Soda. All opinions are 100% mine.

I know quite a few gamers choose soda as their Game Fuel. Some may have seasonal favorites or like to mix it up with new flavors to stimulate their taste buds as they play video games. How about trying Tofurky and Gravy Jones Soda for Thanksgiving? I got it as a sample to try. Honestly, from the start I thought it would taste horrible. For one, I do not like turkey and even as a vegetarian I would not have tofurky. Secondly, it just does not sound like a soda flavor. I tried to give it a fair shot, though. However, it tastes horrible. It probably is at least somewhat like the real thing, but I only had a very small sip and cannot really say anything certain on if it is an accurate recreation of the flavor. The bottle's label is cool looking, though. Hence, it probably would not be good Game Fuel.

It would be an interesting gag gift, though. Well, it might be literally too much of a gag thing, since it does taste so disgusting. Not sure I would actually give it to anyone other than someone that collects bottles. It might, however, be a something to give to an enemy, especially if you somehow switch the label to something good seeming. That or something to dare someone to drink and see their reaction.

iPhone Game Screenshots: Disney Fans Fun Facts Trivia

Disney Fans Fun Facts Trivia is a fun trivia game that is part of the free Disney.com app. I am a big Disney fan and find the trivia fun and entertaining. It is also a good challenge. I also like that you earn pins for reaching certain goals overall and in specific categories, however, the pins seemed to be somewhat glitched in being awarded, as I have none of the 100 correct answers in a category pins even though I have gotten that many right and it even says negative number until I get it. Also, the in a row ones make no sense, as I have gotten the 30 ones in each category, but have never gotten 30 in a row correct. Pin glitches do not affect the fun of the game, though. Only slightly annoying thing is that it does require good phone service to work and load the questions, which can annoyingly somewhat randomly not work, but overall it works pretty seemlessly in most cases.

Click on the thumbnails below to see a larger version of the screenshots.