Alchemy

Alchemy is a philosophical and protoscientific tradition practiced throughout Egypt and Eurasia which aimed to purify, mature, and perfect certain objects. Common aims were chrysopoeia, the transmutation of "base metals" (e.g., lead) into "noble" ones (particularly gold); the creation of an elixir of immortality; the creation of panaceas able to cure any disease; and the development of an alkahest, a universal solvent. The perfection of the human body and soul was thought to permit or result from the alchemical magnum opus and, in the Hellenistic and western tradition, the achievement of gnosis. In Europe, the creation of a philosopher's stone was variously connected with all of these projects.

In English, the term is often limited to descriptions of European alchemy, but similar practices existed in the Far East, the Indian subcontinent, and the Muslim world. In Europe, following the 12th-century Renaissance produced by the translation of Arabic works on science and the Recovery of Aristotle, alchemists played a significant role in early modern science (particularly chemistry and medicine). Islamic and European alchemists developed a structure of basic laboratory techniques, theory, terminology, and experimental method, some of which are still in use today. However, they continued antiquity's belief in four elements and guarded their work in secrecy including cyphers and cryptic symbolism. Their work was guided by Hermetic principles related to magic, mythology, and religion.

Alchemy (video game)

Alchemy is a computer puzzle game from PopCap Games. This title can be played for free online at various websites minus some components, or a full version can be downloaded and unlocked for a fee. On mobile devices, the game can only be played if downloaded for a fee.

Release

Alchemy was first introduced on August 29, 2001. The original version released for only available on the Windows platform. But in May 2002, a version was made for the Mac platform. In June 2002, a version was released that was available for shipping. In September 2002, a handheld version was released.

Gameplay

The object of the game is to turn a board of squares from lead to gold by placing randomly generated symbols called runes on every square. The symbols used as runes in the lower levels are astrological glyphs (symbols) Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Mercury, Venus, a symbol like that of Uranus, and Neptune (Virgo is missing). As higher levels are reached, additional symbols (e.g., droplet, lightning, cup, and om) appear, as do additional colors. New colors appear every three levels.

The Elder Scrolls

The Elder Scrolls is a series of action role-playing open world fantasy video games primarily developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. The series is known for its elaborate and richly detailed open worlds and its focus on free-form gameplay. Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim all won Game of the Year awards from multiple outlets. The series has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide.

Development history

Before The Elder Scrolls

Prior to working on The Elder Scrolls series, Bethesda had worked predominantly with sports and action games. In the six years from its founding to Arena's 1994 release, Bethesda had released ten games, six of them sports games, with such titles as Hockey League Simulator, NCAA Basketball: Road to the Final Four ('91/'92 Edition), and Wayne Gretzky Hockey, and the remaining four adaptations from other media, primarily the Terminator series. Bethesda's course changed abruptly when it began its first action role-playing venture. Designer Ted Peterson recalls: "I remember talking to the guys at Sir-Tech who were doing Wizardry VII: Crusaders of the Dark Savant at the time, and them literally laughing at us for thinking we could do it." Ted Peterson worked alongside Vijay Lakshman as one of the initial designers of what was then simply Arena, a "medieval-style gladiator game."

Template

Template may mean:

Computer science and information technology

Template (file format)

The term document template when used in the context of file format refers to a common feature of many software applications that define a unique non-executable file format intended specifically for that particular application.

Template file formats are those whose file extension indicates that the file type is intended as a very high starting point from which to create other files.

These types of files are usually indicated on the File menu of the application:

For example, the word processing application Microsoft Word uses different file extensions for documents and templates: In Microsoft Word 2003 the file extension .dot is used to indicate a template, in Microsoft Word 2007 .dotx (in contrast to .doc, resp. .docx for a standard document).

In Adobe Dreamweaver the file extension .dwt is used to indicate a template.

Microsoft Word Templates

MS Word allows creating both layout and content templates. A layout template is a style guide for the file styles. It usually contains a chapter which explains how to use the styles within the documents. A content template is a document which provides a TOC. It might be modified to correspond to the user's needs.

Template (novel)

Template is a Canadian science fiction novel by Matthew Hughes, published by PS Publishing. It follows the adventures of a professional duelist who is drawn into a murder mystery. The novel explores differences between various cultures.

Reception

Matthew Hughes has been called one of Canada's best science fiction writers and his novel Template has been considered to be one of his best novels.

Another review noted that this novel is part detective story, part space opera and part investigation into the clash of cultures.

References