The Inside Scoop about The University of Winnipeg’s Konami Code

Easter eggs are fun!

What fun would the world be without Easter eggs? Well, I suppose we would survive, but they certainly can add a little fun and excitement to the regular routine. At least this is what we thought at the University of Winnipeg Division of Continuing Education. In case you hadn’t seen the buzz yet, we have created a secret page on our new website (DCE.UWinnipegCourses.ca) which can only be accessed by entering in a special code, known as the Konami Code. This classic Konami Code should stir up some nostalgia with much of the 30 something population, as it was made hugely popular during the original Nintendo days back in the 1980’s.

So what’s on the secret page?

Well, we don’t want to give away too much. However, keeping with the theme of classic video games, let’s just say that the quintessential classic game is there waiting for you to play, of course with our own little customization added in, courtesy of one of our Flash instructors, Brent Scott. And yes, there are high scores, so if you didn’t have your chops together back in 1986, now is your chance to show the world how you measure up.

What does this have to do with continuing education in Winnipeg?

If you like what you see on our Easter egg page, you might be interested in some of the technology behind it. If so, that is lucky for you because we offer courses in everything that is involved to create the Flash game, as well as the DCE.UWinnipegCourses.ca website itself. Our full-time program, the Internet Systems Specialist Diploma (ISSD), is an intense one-year program designed to cover a wide scope of topics and technologies which are all relevant in today’s World Wide Web. Topics such as:

• XHTML/CSS
• PHP
• MySQL
• Flash
• Javascript
• XML
• ASP.Net
• Java
• and more…

Can an ISSD graduate really create a Flash game like this after just one year?

A lot can be accomplished and learned in one year. The ISSD program covers a wide range of technologies and it is typical for students to end up specializing and going deeper in a few areas rather than being a jack of all trades. Our Flash video Easter egg game is slightly more involved and more detailed than what is taught in the ISSD Flash section. However, the fundamental principles are learned and it is only a matter of extra time and experience that is required to create a similar project. Anything in the Information Technology industry will always require you to be researching, learning, and keeping on top of the latest developments.

DCE.UWinnipegCourses.ca

Speaking of graduates, the University of Winnipeg Division of Continuing Education’s new website was designed and built by ISSD graduates. Bob Freeman designed the site, and I built it using the Drupal Content Management System (CMS). The Konami Code was implemented using one of the many open-source modules available for Drupal. The site has come a long way since its launch in June of 2009 and it’s always exciting to launch new features such as the Konami Code and the Flash game. The site was inspired by the feedback that past and present students were giving us about what kind of information they wanted to see online. The website was essentially built by students, for students. Content and features are continuing to improve all the time and it has really become an excellent resource for current and future students. I look forward to seeing the site grow even more in 2010.

Steve Gomori