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"is_moderator": false, "display_username": "", "points": null, "subscribe_on_post": 2, "moderator_can_edit": false, "is_remote": false, "is_verified": false, "missing_perm": null}, "realtime_paused": false, "posts": {"10525312": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I went to school, and it was fun.  But looking back on it I'm not 100% sure if it was valuable.<br><br>My opinion is this:  If you're going to a school, MAKE SURE it's worth your time.  If it's a bad school, or some design program at a no-name state school and you're pretty sure you already have good design abilities really think about if it's worth it.<br><br>But if your school is Art Center or some other top school.. yeah.  suck it up, get some loans and go.  You really get what you pay for.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-05_12:51:30", "killed": false, "user_key": "AndrewCrocker", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10556930": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I just graduated high school (today actually) and I considered going to school for graphic design. But ultimately the high cost of tuition forced me to choose another school. I still very much want to pursue graphic design, but I'm not sure if that will happen or not. I would have loved to go to the art school though, it was a lot more alluring to me than a traditional 4 year college.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-06_00:14:35", "killed": false, "user_key": "3ced7074f2a5b098291ad8f87ed6b6f6", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12951939": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I'm hearing a lot of focus on design and getting a job - not much focus on education. And yet my parents both worked into their 80s - my father, at almost 83, is still going strong.<br><br>It's highly likely that the rest of us will work that long - a total career span of about 60 years. <br><br>Who knows what the technology will be then? That's a major reason the better programs teach concept and design, not technology. Technology is always ours to keep up with on our own - and generally, design profs are going to be teaching an old version. (I've heard of courses that are still teaching web design with tables.)<br><br>But to fuel any creative career for 60 years? That takes ideas, and an idea of where to find those ideas and generate new ones, which is in the world.<br><br>And the place we learn about the world is not really in design classes. It's partly in the social experience of school, but it's really in those other courses we take to meet those pesky distribution requirements: literature, history, math, science, a foreign language or two.<br><br>Which is why I recommend not just a degree but a degree from a university - one with a great design school.<br><br>It's not just learning about the world - it's learning how to understand the world. To learn something about how it's put together - the math and science of it - and the people and ideas who have made it what it is today, in all its forms - the history and literature and politics, and the arts outside design.<br><br>And if there's one thing the social web should be teaching us all, it's that being a designer is no excuse for not being able to write clearly and coherently. (Or if it is - think how you can stand out by writing well!) What I've found is that nothing helps us understand how our language works - all that grammar that sucked in eighth grade - like learning the grammar of a foreign language. Plus, it's the easiest way to get exposed to another culture, even if it's only twice a week at 10 am.<br><br>Finally, the images we encounter in those non-design courses are the source images for a lifetime of design projects. Right now none of us - age 18 or 58 - knows who the next client is going to be, or the one a year from now. Will it be hamburgers or biotech? We've all seen the double helix of DNA a thousand times. But a college-level biology course will give that helix meaning and suggest design directions that would never have occurred to you if all you saw were two parallel spirals.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-20_10:21:19", "killed": false, "user_key": "twitter-9142842", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "16824710": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Awesome article. I went to college for about a year and a half, then left. Prior, I knew a lot from teaching my self, and my high school had few graphic design classes too. When I decided to leave, it wasn't a hard decision. When classmates started asking me for help, and not the teacher, I had to question if I was wasting my time/money.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-09-17_14:24:03", "killed": false, "user_key": "497a4863b079ad80abbf324007c18987", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "2 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10531207": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I am a graphic designer who didn't go to design school. However I have been studying art since I was old enough to hold a pencil. For me, its a matter of artistic talent. You either have it or you don't. I know plenty of design school students who just don't seem to get it.<br>I learned the software from books, tutorials, internships, and the connections I made with people through those internships. But it also goes back to the point on motivation. I tried a lot harder then most designers to compensate. <br>There are definitely times when I wish I had gone to design school, but that's usually because I am not always taken seriously as a designer because of it. Luckily, I got a creative director who didn't give a rat's ass about what my degree was in.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-05_15:39:09", "killed": false, "user_key": "852dce38de6c128368dd2c869e38a860", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10593416": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I believe that you can excel in graphic design if you have a natural talent, passion and determination.<br>School is very beneficial and should be considered if you can afford it! Everything else depends on opportunity. I know plenty of extremely talented artists with degrees, that can not find a decent paying job and I also know of a few artists that have degrees and can't design they're way out of a paper bag.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-07_15:19:30", "killed": false, "user_key": "5be50ee74ec9b8db4dd063fadb6a2c0c", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10566413": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I agree. A strong portfolio does speak louder than a degree. What a degree tells us is that an individual was able to pass the courses he or she had taken. It tells us nothing about that individual's artistic capabilities. So while brushing up on tips, trends and techniques is definitely necessary in order to stay in the loop and improve upon one's skills, a degree is not an absolute necessity.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-06_13:25:18", "killed": false, "user_key": "b2fb5199228f32f980a2f7cb3f12b01e", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10532752": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I have a degree and to me its worth nothing. I had been designing for years before I went to college. When I got there, we started off with pretty much 'Opening Photoshop How-to'.  I went through 4 years of learning the programs for my degree, not so much theory. No one in my class had any experience and it lacked almost any competitive drive. (well maybe for the rest of the class, but to me it was all just a breeze. <br><br>Before I went to college I was completely obsessed with design. I knew trends, patterns, everything current. I feel like I completely lost this at school. They don't teach you how to keep your designs current, only teach how to do the basics. (Of course I went to a state school) I think that is a major flaw of most schools. To me, being in the front of things is the most important design skill. Making your designs look fresh and it will stand out for years to come. <br><br>Also, design is something changing rapidly. Designers who went to school 10 years ago's degree's should pretty much be void about now, and most of them are probably still paying on it. THAT right there says just how useful design school is.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-05_16:24:38", "killed": false, "user_key": "573be0b668cfdae041be0a418bc3125c", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 3, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10657427": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Sometimes I feel as if college was a waste of my time, and that I could've saved money and learned more on my own. However, I realize now that without school, I never would've known where to start. Being in school taught me not just the programs I would need to be familiar with, but how the industry works and what it involves. I never could've figured that out on my own, mainly because I was completely ignorant about it. Not only that, but school forced me to learn the things I needed to even when I hated it. If I was doing it on my own, I might've given up and never realized that this is exactly what I wanted to do with my life. School is what got me into the field of work that I love and I don't regret going one bit (debt or no debt)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-09_13:06:43", "killed": false, "user_key": "c486d0a4a37539860c61733824965450", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10645456": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "That is something that I see as a huge advantage, Geoff.  I just graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Graphic Design and I think that is at least one major thing that I appreciate about my schooling.  Being critiqued (and harshly) at times helps you build up your ability as an artist to be critical of yourself, which I think is extremely helpful.  You can in no way be successful as an artist/designer if you can't take or appreciate when people criticize your work.  <br><br>However, the flip side of my opinion on the matter would be that I, in some capacity at least, feel that I almost wasted four years going to pointless classes when I could have been focusing on my skills/connections as a freelancer and my general art skills in general.  I do feel like when it came down to finding a \"real\" job that I might have a slight edge over someone without a degree just for experience sake, but in the end I think you're motivation and work as a designer will be the deciding factor in any situation.  A degree doesn't make you good at anything.  Drive and motivation and willingness to constantly improve yourself are key.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-09_05:03:10", "killed": false, "user_key": "d8b3d831289c5e2a53d0fbb8bbf925ee", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 10623126, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10623126": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I should also note that college DEFINITELY helped me form a thick skin.  Getting critiqued on everything I did went a long way in understanding that criticism isn't a bad thing.  There's too many self taught designers who get all bent out of shape when someone says something negative about your work.<br><br>Art school also helped me deal with the competition in the industry.  I'm a competitive person by nature, so it wasn't too big of a deal.  Still, it's a microcosm of what you'll be dealing with once you're out in the industry working.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-08_15:21:43", "killed": false, "user_key": "69602876da6f616e6148d1ce17749501", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 10622965, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10600857": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "This article is phenomenal as it has been very relevant in parts of my career (especially in the beginning).  I never studied art in college and had a hard time finding fulfillment in any job I found.  I was doing freelance on off hours which developed a portfolio that was able to land me my first design job.<br><br>While working there, my colleges all had degrees from art schools and I felt like I always had to prove myself (although as I found later, no one was testing me).  I was very insecure in the fact that I never had a degree related to the industry.  I did at one time have a new co-worker who went to a prestigious art school in Philadelphia, and was sure to make me feel inferior simply because of where he attended school.  The irony is that he was the worst designer in the company and was let go 4 weeks from the day he started.<br><br>After all is said and done, I wouldn't advise not going to school for working in this industry.....however, I wouldn't deem it necessary to succeed if you are highly talented, and motivated as this article suggests. Having those key ingredients, coupled with the drive to make it \"on your own\" and you may be able to create the opportunities you're hoping for.<br><br>After not having any kind of degree in the digital arts industry, I have been a Creative Director for the last several years.  I am secretly (secret from my company, of course) about 1 year away from having my own business.<br><br>I created a quote to sum up the path that lead me to where I am today.  About a year ago, I had it tattooed over my heart:  \"Some say I'm going the wrong way . . . when it's just a way of my own . . . away from the rest.\"  ~ Jeff San Juan", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-07_19:25:39", "killed": false, "user_key": "facebook-769575853", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10532637": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "If you want a job, you do. Application and design history/real world training come from school too, but you really get your chops up by doing. But you really can't do that (get your chops up) without a job; and if you don't have a degree, 9 times out of 10, you won't get a job.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-05_16:21:22", "killed": false, "user_key": "5cead68fb80e9908012e1c247c0d5c46", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10635679": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "No, you don't need a degree for design.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-08_22:45:21", "killed": false, "user_key": "6c5c7354be94ecfc883b2e4748f4145b", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "11438369": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "No. You don't need any degree to be a designer.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-19_03:00:05", "killed": false, "user_key": "deec1ff7a7346ba5d06973195ba0c706", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "5 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10811299": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I disagree. I went to school for illustration/animation learning traditional painting and drawing and i'd say 80% of my class has helped each other w/ jobs or leads. We're all really good and resourceful which also helps. Learning the fundamentals is never wrong ( i use my color theory and light/shadow knowdlege damn near every day as a designer). Doesn't mean you NEED a full degree but if you have more ambition than \"lowly designer\", i'd recommend it.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-12_15:14:50", "killed": false, "user_key": "03f30fb9a6d9895710e2e1ed917cb171", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "5 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 10523230, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10630185": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I graduated from a 4-year college with a B.S. in Mass Communications with an emphasis in Visual Communications, and I can definitely say that I was not taught that much of the CS suite. I was basically on my own. Luckily, I had already been using it before I started college, so it wasn't that big of a deal. But still, you can't just assume you're going to learn everything you need from college. I mistakingly thought since I graduated, I really didn't need to delve any further in to Adobe products or other design software.<br><br>So, I can definitely relate about having teach yourself things. You can't just expect someone else to show you everything, sometimes you have to discover it for yourself. And you have to have the drive to do it.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-08_18:43:18", "killed": false, "user_key": "Omek", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10562951": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Here are my thoughts.<br>       It seems like a lot of people are complaining about a going to college. Well, first not many know exactly what they want to do in life. I did not know what I wanted to do and my father was recommended by a motion/graphic designer that he worked with to go for graphic design, because it's the most successful way of making a living off art. I was not allowed to go to a strictly art school, because what if I didn't like graphic design and wanted nothing to do with art, I would've been screwed. Yes, I would've transferred, but that would've been more debt and a year behind of graduating in the 4 years that I wanted to. College has many uses just like Jeff said.<br>     Now as for the design part of college. Some people need to know color theory and the design basics. Yes, you can learn it on your own, but not everyone is motivated to do so, especially if you're enjoying your college experience. College is to help you learn design and build your portfolio. If you do not take it serious, then it's going to show in your work. I know plenty of my classmates that did not take it so serious and it showed. It's really no surprise either that some of them aren't designing professionally. I treated every class like it was a job and every critique like it was a client critiquing me. I worked hard looking up design blogs and it was very fortunate for me to find Go Media via istockphoto(it was showcasing the first poster). I'm not a great designer, but I have to work hard. Yes, there are your freelancers that don't need to go to college, I believe Chuck Anderson(No Pattern) is one, but you have to work twice as hard. College should have a leg up in networking, but taking initiative does more for you. One important lesson I learned when I was young is that your schooling is what you make of it. You can go to the best school and not care and you can complain. You can go to a not so great or popular art school and try and learn as much as possible and you can come out pretty good. It's all about the effort that goes in, but with school you can learn about design without being too motivated. I wouldn't pass it up, but I don't think you should look down at schooling. There's so much to learn. If you feel that you have the knowledge, tools, and portfolio to start working then do so. What's important is really doing what you love.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-06_09:55:18", "killed": false, "user_key": "781104205dbb18604373b143e58ac0f0", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10676397": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "When I was picking out my course preferences for University 6 years ago, my first few preferences where all comp sci/ sci based courses, Visual Communcations/Design was my forth preference as I was pretty interested in it back then because I was just curious how it was all done and taught myself Photoshop during the HSC (equivlant to SATs I guess). I'm actually pretty glad I fell into design, I think it was fate/meant to be, because my passion for it grew while I was at Uni. The course was heavily theory based and more about developing your ideas and concepts so there were a few essays and research projects. We were taught a few basics in each of the programs, but we were left on our own after that and it was up to us. So motivation is definitely a Key Factor. Though I found that with my course in the 3rd and 4th years my motivation went downhill because I felt I wasn't learning anything new, it felt repetitive to me. So a good course program is important as well. Though nothing beats industry experience and learning from others and meshing creative ideas, it's pure inspiration and passion. And while most of the work we do is design and corporate based or has an established branding, I still try to keep my mind rolling with the Arts side of things when I do personal projects or tutorials for new techniques.<br><br>If I were to go back to do it all again I'd probably go to a college that specialised in design. I find that their classes are a lot smaller had have a 'studio' sort of arrangement which make it easier going into the real world.<br><br>Great article by the way.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-09_21:24:28", "killed": false, "user_key": "01b5059412173f3fd6831bbe13d4186c", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10560302": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I have to say your post is a little harsh. I have a feeling you just went to a bad school, bc yes those DO exist (Full Sail in Orlando, FL would be one of them) and its unfortunate that you could have attended one. So your telling everyone that the top designers who run their own companies, and have for 10+ years dont know what they are talking about? I have to disagree on that.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-06_05:59:18", "killed": false, "user_key": "29b89d57b8a6d32984bfd45899ece225", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 10532752, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10522159": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I'm not sure you \"need\" a degree to be a good designer, but I'm sure of 2 things :<br>* Being in schooland have a few classes about the fundamentals of design, color theory and so on helps a lot,<br>* Being at school helps to build a network.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-05_11:27:15", "killed": false, "user_key": "6cd3f58d86322195a94ff41adab944d3", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10975411": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Ive got a HND and BA Hons, personally I think the HND taught me everything I needed to know about the design industry and the degree just rinsed me of money...A few months into the degree I realised this but didn't want to give up because of all the money I'd already spent on the 'education'!<br><br>Guess it depends totally on your course, but mine sucked, and was taught by a bunch of pretentious dicks, who'd rather have you queue up for 2 hour to talk to them rather than you go out and design. Bar the good friends I made, sex I had and quality drugs I took it was a big waste of time...the best daze of my life.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-16_06:15:57", "killed": false, "user_key": "63ce8f001aafdd1b8178ee2d14bfa620", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "5 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10524980": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I was wondering if having a degree made any kind of difference or not. I've been designing my own websites since I was about 14/15. Granted, going to school gives you a boost of knowledge. I considered going to school for graphic or web design, & the costs are phenomenal. It's not worth it to me. I learned on my own, & I taught myself everything I know. I'll just keep doing that. I also do it for fun, so that could explain why I'm not so set on doing it \"religiously.\" I have a small network & I make some nice change, & that's what matters to me.<br><br>So I say...degrees aren't necessary if you've got the skillz! :D", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-05_12:43:17", "killed": false, "user_key": "AcidicLemons", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12073016": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "love the sarcasm, sounds like bitterness . . .", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-03_10:28:08", "killed": false, "user_key": "1fa54284449aaf7d256b07fd5f1c5d4e", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "5 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12063085, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10532404": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I definatley AGREE 100%.. In the field of Design your portfolio speaks way louder than your degree.<br>Awesome post,<br>Pedro<br><a href=\"http://www.trueelements.wordpress.com\" rel=\"nofollow\">www.trueelements.wordpress.com</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-05_16:15:41", "killed": false, "user_key": "2f0c56701edc867add4e63317c9fb6b5", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10557244": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "A man was thrown into a remote jungle and had to survive for 5 years.<br>In a city, a man was taught how to survive in a jungle for 5 years.<br>After both of the mens \"training\" was complete, they were both thrown into a remote jungle together. They both live, but the man who had the actual experience did better than the man in school.<br>school is good..but experience with a serious dose of drive and determination almost always triumphs...in my honest opinion", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-06_00:38:47", "killed": false, "user_key": "facebook-1500107541", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12271052": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Well it's possible to be really motivated, out there working and doing all the social networking crap and have it not pay off. There's never any sure things in life.<br><br>It does seem like any discussion like this always has a few people that will bring up the motivational aspect as a panacea for any challenge or issue in the field. I think it's a good attitude, but it doesn't necessarily represent any kind of 'mechanical' answer to someone that can't find work.<br><br>But I don't agree that the question of a degree or not comes down to motivation. It's not illogical for someone who really wants to be some kind of commercial artist to think the best way to achieve that goal is formal education.<br><br>Right now it's an easy and understandable time to be a little bit bitter.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-07_15:20:14", "killed": false, "user_key": "f0dfe1c52006be3cb877d78b1ea0a8b3", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "5 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10554188": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "good post. I'd say that regardless of education or not. You learn more if you have the opportunity to be thrown in and gain the experience first hand. Nothing is a better teacher than experience. Some people just need school to force them to get that experience.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-05_21:17:39", "killed": false, "user_key": "teamlinx", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10607824": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "It all comes down to if the person can do the job or not, its that simple. If they can they can, if they cant they cant no matter their qualifications or lack there of.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-08_04:05:15", "killed": false, "user_key": "b8f89de99f565839c376341dd5b8fa59", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10524835": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I personally took a two-year production and design program offered by my local technical institute.    Although there was almost no \"design\" instrution, the program offered two years of in-depth software training.<br><br>This really sharpened my photoshop, HTML, CSS, and various other skills.  It allowed me to learn design on my own, and with sites like this one, and all the other great blogs and resources, the design aspect has come naturally.<br><br>I would recommend this route to anyone who wants to learn the tools quick and has the self discipline to learn the other aspects on their own!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-05_12:40:23", "killed": false, "user_key": "facebook-569551617", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10717780": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I don't necessarily think school is just for the knowledge, but more for the interaction with other creatives and instructors that have been there and done that. I recently graduated from design school and I look back on the time spent there as more of a mentorship than school. I felt like I had a better idea of the design world because of school and all the interactions. And plus, school is the easiest way to start a network for the business world.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-10_16:52:38", "killed": false, "user_key": "7b2e2186d0209c40d66e041bf84b3001", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "11438424": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "For example in design studio <a href=\"http://turbomilk.ru\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://turbomilk.ru</a>  only one graduated designer. But there portfolio - rocks! =)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-19_03:03:43", "killed": false, "user_key": "deec1ff7a7346ba5d06973195ba0c706", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "5 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12068187": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "yap, i agree with this one.. experience + talent is much much much more needed..", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-03_07:54:41", "killed": false, "user_key": "f0455a906b45b3ee6e0e41e08fb92c55", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "5 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 10557244, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "11494491": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I agree with you 100%. I am going to a college that prides themselves on becoming a University when their graphic design department sucks and the teachers/professors barely know what they are teaching. I keep learning on my own but there is no motivation or excitement when you are in the classes and the teachers give you the project, which is making a map in illustrator. Another fault that my teachers had are that they play favorites in their classes and then treat others like crap. Its unfortunate when the focus should be on helping the students get a solid foundation of design and guide them towards learning in an efficient manner.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-20_02:03:23", "killed": false, "user_key": "6350f3a6040d56179ab73a67cbee1608", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "5 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 10613113, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "11014492": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I think it depends on the education you received. Your answer can vary just on that factor. I can say that I have learned some from experience and some from schooling. I have also learned that it is not always about where and how you learned your skills, but also how well you network and that your fully aware when an opportunity is staring you in the face. I graduated from a technical art school ( name withheld) and received a pretty shitty job doing photoshop exercises 8 hours a day, several months later. But, it was a foot in the door. I am currently working on a BA from a University in design, and feel now, 3 years later, I am simply working towards a paper, because I am already doing what I want to do, and getting paid well for it. However, it was an internship that really got the ball rolling, and my own motivation, and hours up all night spent learning CSS, coding, Flash, etc. I believe design fundamentals are hard to learn on your own. A formal education can really help you in that area. Technical skills can be learned primarily on your own. You don't need to pay an institution or university to teach you that. And your own ambition and determination is what will really ultimately define your career.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-16_17:55:35", "killed": false, "user_key": "d76234e2356952f29eee0af2dba9a4fc", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "5 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10523230": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Schooland tells you to read books and study the fundementals of design, any cunt can do that in their own time.<br><br>The major difference nowadays is people turn to the internet, which is 99% authored by idiots, for idiots.  Books are vetted by editors and finely tuned into a worthwhile product, however anyone can start a blog and call themselves experts.<br><br>School doesn't help you build networks either, being in the game does.  Clients I met through school/college/uni = none, people I've met through running my business and putting myself out there = everyone<br><br>The best course I ever actually took was A level Industrial Design, why?  Nothing to do with design, but we where constantly pushed back and forth between design and specification, with a lot stricter options over what we could do, as well as being forced to justify why everything is done and take into account more things than any graphic course made you, this reflected the real world a hell of a lot better than any other design course I've taken", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-05_11:56:49", "killed": false, "user_key": "94bad68718fe948b849c84d79cff0e17", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10566880": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "A degree is not an obligation on design, I Have one on Graphic Design but I've never had to show it for a job, soo your abilities are more important, but going to scholl you'll learn how to interact with the others and a diploma is valuable if sometime, you need it.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-06_13:56:15", "killed": false, "user_key": "458218bfdbe6892ea3dbf160ca07628f", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10531984": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Going to school is a little more than just learning and preparing for the \"real world\"  It's a part of your life that can be a good experience for you.  Find a city you want \"sort of\" live in and then you can get a feel for what it's like living on your own while there are still some strings attached (dorms, mom and dad, etc).  School is filled with lots of valuable experiences (like meeting a potential mate).  <br><br>Those things are often overlooked.  Sure you can do all that without paying for college, but college forces you to do it day in and day out and gives you freedom to learn.  Whereas the real world won't be so forgiving.  <br><br>It's a good time to \"grow up\" for a lot of kids.  However, if you're 18, and already making a decent living freelancing and already have people knocking on your door for a job, then college might not be worth it.  <br><br>Kind of like going to the NBA without college.  Sure, skill wise it can be done.  But those people are going to miss out on most of the social aspects of college and they might not be able to get those 4 years back.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-05_16:02:59", "killed": false, "user_key": "mylkhead", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": true, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": true, "is_realtime": false}, "10556772": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I'm a highschool senior currently in this dilemma. Like Jeff said, college is a major part of life, and I don't want to miss out on that. However, I don't even know the direction I'm going in, so college could end up being a colossal waste of time and money. This would be easier, though, if I could sustain myself freelancing, which I can't. So going straight to the job hunt isn't really very enticing.<br><br>One bit of advice I've received is to go to college for design, but minor in business, which would give me a nice fallback plan and also administrative skills if I were to ever go that route.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-06_00:03:43", "killed": false, "user_key": "VRizo", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10738278": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I think it depends.<br><br>One thing that seems to crop up in literally every design discussion thread I see is the discussions all seem to revolve around freelancing and freelancers, or people that have grown into an agency career. As someone who's spent their professional life employed in in-house positions, I will say that 95% of them want a person with a degree, at least based on what I've seen. The remaining 5% of them usually say something like a degree and 2 years of experience or 4-6 years of experience with no degree. Most are looking for Bachelor's level people, although I've seen some that are asking for an associates (I've seen a few that are asking for a Masters too!) I think this is because companies look at people in a risk-management sense and degreed people are may be considered less risky. That's just a guess though. I'm not saying that it's right, or whatnot, just that if you're looking at in house jobs a degree seems to be a thing.<br><br>I'm not sure how to put it, but it seems like while having a design degree isn't a big deal not having one is, if you know what I mean. I think a lot of us that went to school have this idea that a degree=a job. Colleges certainly do nothing to challenge the assertion. So when we're out in the world and not snapping up a job, you start thinking 'Why'd I do this?'<br><br>To digress a little, portfolio doesn't mean a job either. I find people have passed on me because I don't have any proven experience designing things that look like what they want designed.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-11_10:41:30", "killed": false, "user_key": "f0dfe1c52006be3cb877d78b1ea0a8b3", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10609643": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "What a great blog, this is something I think about on a regular basis. From the age of 16 I stayed on at school choosing graphic design, art, history and IT, I then went on to college to do a years art foundation diploma and then a 3 year BA Honors degree course in Graphic Design. That means I was 22 when I left university and I had many friends who had been working full time for the past 6 years, when I finally started work I was at the bottom again  as I had so much to learn. If at 16 I had started the job as an apprentice then at the age of 22 I would be a master in what I do, so I am not sure if education is the best way to go for certain jobs, but then when would you ever find the time again to spend 6 years doing minimum work and partying all the time?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-08_06:57:13", "killed": false, "user_key": "d47777d5d66c0e2f0d08e8106ee1386b", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10532204": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "School motivates me to do the stuff that I need to learn, it also teaches me how to learn.  I don't know if you necessarily need to get a degree but School is a great place to learn and collaborate (I wouldn't say that it's the only way though)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-05_16:09:22", "killed": false, "user_key": "facebook-1512969658", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12063085": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Not that we should all be so lazy but I find it so encouraging and reassuring to know that it is my motivation and and my drive to succeed that will get me through any challenge.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-03_01:57:42", "killed": false, "user_key": "2af964e0d4acd4871f64c81fb9912838", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "5 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10523121": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I am a designer for a large UK retailer, I don't have a degree, when I started out as a Web Designer there were NO qualifications in the UK.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-05_11:54:11", "killed": false, "user_key": "45a925e6c4867de5837c0a9ba9a7c2ce", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10940115": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I say it all comes down to motivation.  Most TRULY creative individuals are constantly trying to achieve the next level of design. For many of us high school taught us little to no information about the fundamentals other than ROYGBV and CMYK and other terms in order to pass a test and get a decent grade.  College is more of a proving ground to see if you can cut it among your peers. A training ground for seeing how well you can deal with intense workloads of creative projects one after the next.  We are taught the rudimentary tools of the trade, but end up learning that great designers or artists will only truly come to being from hunger.  Hunger for knowledge and hunger for the abilities to create the art that dwells within us.  A way to create what is in our mind's eye.  <br><br>For those not easily motivated, but talented nonetheless, go to college.<br><br>For those who are immensely talented and establishing themselves in both connections online via twitter, facebook, various blogs, personal website galleries and clientelle in general, then I say go without college.<br><br>I would say at this time I would say that Yes... college is necessary in this day due to the existing owners and employers that have the old school ideal of college makes better. Yet with the internet exposure and tools / bastions of learning, talented individuals can circumvent this quagmire.  Many places of employment want to see the degree... no matter now talented you are, they search for your credentials first.  Solid portfolios are a must... but in many cases so is a 50k dollar piece of paper.<br><br>SO - Go to class, load up on coffee, go buy a beret and make PERSONAL connections with people from all walks of life.  Enjoy it, it will be the best 4 years of your life.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-15_14:25:42", "killed": false, "user_key": "2a678e5597c364ff9f34b691dbc50448", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "5 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10522356": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Jeff,<br><br>You are right on.  I have interviewed potential designers with degrees, nice resumes, etc but only to be disappointed by their portfolios.  I earned my BFA and after really learning my software, I than began to blossom as a designer.  One must keep up on programs and be diligent on training themselves.  A good education is a good start but to maintain or achieve success, one must keep up on learning new techniques, programs, trends, and etc.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-05_11:30:52", "killed": false, "user_key": "796ed7330625d43a0bb085d775ace1e5", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10622965": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Ah, the old \"school vs. no school\" question.  I went to art school and looking back I definitely picked up some valuable skills.  Mostly I learned a good deal about color theory (which is important since I'm colorblind), composition and time management (funny sounding, I know!).  I also was able to explore a ton of different mediums and get a feel for what I actually want to do.<br><br>That said, I learned a TON more on my own out in the \"real world\".  A degree is nice and it's definitely a good way to get your foot in the door with an ad agency or design firm, but it's not the be all end all.  In the end, your portfolio and work experience are going to do more for you than your degree.<br><br>As far as making connections from college goes, I made none.  I see people from college every now and then but it's not like we're now industry contacts with each other.  All my contacts/networks have been made due to being out in the real world and actually working.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-08_15:16:57", "killed": false, "user_key": "69602876da6f616e6148d1ce17749501", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10522615": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Exactly !", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-05_11:38:42", "killed": false, "user_key": "6cd3f58d86322195a94ff41adab944d3", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 10522356, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10613113": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Yes, I do think a 10 year old degree is basicly void. Everything you learned in school 10 years ago would be useless. None of the programs existed, none of the same rules apply really. <br><br>But those who have ran companies for 10+ years do know what they are talking about because they have ran companies for 10 years. I'm sure even they will say that they theories and processes they learned that long ago dont apply now.. Many schools were still teaching graphic design on paper when top designers started.<br><br>Just that fact shows me that school is completely unnecessary (past a technical level) <br><br>Design is just something that if you know what you are doing, it is easier, and can be more effective to learn on your own. <br><br>Yes, I had a bad school, but so do a lot of people, with degrees. Again proving its lack of importance. When your school lacks challenges, competition, etc, you loose all drive. <br><br>To sum it up,<br><br>Either you go to a <br>cheap school - learn little and teach yourself how to become good<br><br>or <br><br>expensive but good school - they teach you how to teach yourself to stay good <br><br>Why not just skip all of that and teach yourself from the beginning.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-08_10:10:19", "killed": false, "user_key": "573be0b668cfdae041be0a418bc3125c", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 10560302, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10531962": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I started at a community school (just go get the required classes before going to Akron or Kent.) There I learned the very basics of Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. I then took the principles I learned and applied them to my first job laying out ad's and a weekly paper. I think school was a great idea at first, it got me understanding how to use the technical side of things, but where I really started learning was on the job. I currently work as a Graphic Designer for Websites and everything I need to know on a daily basis here was learned during my time as an Intern, on the job training and experience has helped me out an enormous amount.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-05_16:02:18", "killed": false, "user_key": "244571a93c4adff9be98557ffebebe5e", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10628091": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I went into a 2yr program for \"Graphics Communication\" at the local community college, mostly because I didn't want to be yet another fine-artist who can't piece a few bucks together. I did all my art courses in the first year, and swore up and down that the the teachers were out of their minds. One in particular swore to me that if you really liked design as a career you'd never stop learning, and I should continue on to a 4 year school. This from a woman who carted around a load of design magazines and books. I didn't understand or appreciate that. <br><br>In my third semester I was asked to transfer to the digital illustration field (where my abilities were far outstripping my fellow students, in contrast to how badly I was doing in the hand-drawn design classes)... In either regard, I began to hate aspects that demanded I \"conform\" and when financial things fell through the roof I withdrew. 1 Figure Drawing course away from a Certificate and a few English and math from my associates. <br><br>I took an almost five year break from the art-field, with the exception of artwork for people I knew. Some paid, some unpaid and just for fun. One of these landed me a job. It was simple at first, clean up artwork and prepare it for printing. Then I started designing my own, setting up standards and procedures for the artwork at the business. In the almost-2years since I started there I have a whole new appreciation and love for Design and Graphic Arts which school failed to give me. <br><br>I now find it to be an addiction. One that comes with magazines, blogs, and various online tools to help me get better. Even so I still struggle with the same thing I struggled with in school, mixing and blending color. It just doesn't come naturally to me. In some ways, I look back and think it would have been nice, if I could have appreciated Design this much, back then and actually gone on to the 4 year school. But I don't think it would have done me any good unless I were to go now. If I went now, it would be purely to see what others are doing and refine myself even further. <br><br>I will say that almost without realizing it I fall back on my high school and college art training. It amazes me how much of that I have put to good use in setting up the art-department and doing the artwork where I work. Even so, It was just the basics that have been drilled into my head over and over again since 7th grade.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-08_17:31:11", "killed": false, "user_key": "realitysyndrome", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "11494525": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I recommend Ringling College of Art and Design. I'm hoping to go there after graduating in a year. Its a great art college.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-20_02:06:16", "killed": false, "user_key": "6350f3a6040d56179ab73a67cbee1608", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "5 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 10556930, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "10532606": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I sometimes regret going to college, mainly because of the debt but when I step back, I begin to really appreciate it. I don't think a college degree is necessary to be a good designer(for example some of the people above and david carson, they don't have degrees). I do think that college gives you the opportunity to become comfortable in client presentations, does require you to think critically about your projects and pushes you to always be conceptual. I'm fairly fresh out of college but a bit traditional in some of my thoughts and I'd much rather see a good concept than beautiful eye candy. I don't think if I'd gone to college I would get the conceptual part, I might, but who knows.<br><br>I also made some good friends and because of my college got an internship and because of people met at that internship have just gotten another job with one of the largest ad agencies in my state. Sure, I could've gotten those connections elsewhere but I just don't know how it would have happened. <br><br>The other thing I've seen out of non-degree holders is making some basic design mistakes. I know there's not really a 'set of rules' to follow when it comes to design but if you decide to break something from the norm, then you better have a damn good reason for doing so (aka, a good concept). For instance, on the web, studies have shown that people expect the logo to be in the top left area of your site. If it's not, it's confusing for them. This becomes a usability issue and a flaw in basic design principles.<br><br>Eh, and forgive this, this is pure speculation, but I think there could be a tendancy for self-taught designers to be a little cocky and unwilling to take critiques because they've taught themselves everything they know. That my friends is pure speculation, so please do not assume I am generalizing every non-degree holder out there.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-05_16:20:25", "killed": false, "user_key": "facebook-71002384", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "6 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "11107477": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "A degree is essential.  Where else are you going to learn the fundamentals like perspective, spacial cues, contrast, hierarchy, focal point, typography, color theory, etc?  You can read as many books as you want but developing ideas in a classroom with an experienced instructor present, you quickly learn what works and what doesn't. That is where the value is in a degree.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-06-18_13:46:17", "killed": false, "user_key": "892854fc73f95cb3d2e5886e3409fa1a", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "5 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}}, "integration": {"receiver_url": "", "theme": 4, "reply_position": true, "disqus_logo": false}, "timer": {"timer_url": "http://localhost:8005", "thread_id": "20544986", "user_id": "anonymous", "forum_id": "96586", "hash": 3758063544772502318}, "thread": {"days_alive": 0, "slug": "degree_or_no_degree", "paginate": false, "num_pages": 1, "num_posts": 54, "per_page": 0, "total_posts": 0, "realtime_paused": true, "id": 20544986, "queued": false}, "reactions_limit": 10, "context": {"show_reply": true, "use_fb_connect": true, "forum_facebook_key": "f4e151ca12a9f290469ad2f69db74864", "use_yahoo": false, "subscribed": false, "use_twitter_signin": true, "use_openid": false, "realtime_speed": 5000}, "reactions_start": 0, "settings": {"debug": false, "disqus_url": "http://disqus.com", "media_url": "http://media.disqus.com"}, "media_url": "http://media.disqus.com"};
	/* */ this.jsonData.cookie_messages = {"user_created": null, "post_has_profile": null, "post_twitter": null, "post_not_approved": null}; this.jsonData.session = {"url": null, "name": null, "email": null}; /* */

	
	this.curPageId = 'dsq-comments';

	this.frames = {};
};

var disqus_popup_reference = null;

if(typeof DsqLocal == 'undefined') {
	DsqLocal = {};
}



/**
 * Dsq.Strings: UI strings
 */
Dsq.Strings = new function() {
	this.ADD_NEW_COMMENT = "Add New Comment";
	this.LOG_INTO_DISQUS = "Log into DISQUS";
	this.USE_MEDIA = "Use Media";
	this.LOGOUT = "Logout";
	this.SHARING_OPTIONS = "Sharing options";
	this.SHARE_ON = "Share on";
	this.TWEET_THIS_COMMENT = "Tweet this comment";
	this.SHARE_ON_NEWSFEED = "Share on news feed";
	this.SEND_UPDATE_TO_YAHOO = "Send update to Yahoo!";
	this.REBLOG_ON = "Reblog on";
	this.CONFIGURE_OPTIONS = "Configure options";
	this.POST_AS = "Post as";
	this.SORT_BY = "Sort by";
	this.SUBSCRIBE_BY_EMAIL = "Subscribe by email";
	this.SUBSCRIBE_BY_RSS = "Subscribe by RSS";
	this.POPULAR_NOW = "Popular now";
	this.BEST_RATING = "Best Rating";
	this.NEWEST_FIRST = "Newest first";
	this.OLDEST_FIRST = "Oldest first";
	this.HIGHLIGHTED = "Highlighted";
	this.UNSUBSCRIBE = "Unsubscribe";
	this.REQUIRED = "Required";
	this.OPTIONAL = "Optional";
	this.YOU_ARE_COMMENTING_AS_A = "You are commenting as a";
	this.LOGIN_BELOW = "Login below";
	this.PLEASE_LOGIN_BELOW_TO_COMMENT = "Please login below to comment.";
	this.SUBSCRIBE_TO_ALL_COMMENTS_BY_EMAIL = "Subscribe to all comments by email";
	this.DO_NOT_SUBSCRIBE_TO_COMMENTS = "Do not subscribe to comments";
	this.REALTIME_UPDATING_IS = "Real-time updating is";
	this.ENABLED = "enabled";
	this.PAUSED = "paused";
	this.PAUSE = "Pause";
	this.RESUME = "Resume";
	this.SHOW = "Show";
	this.JUST_NOW = "Just now";
	this.REPLY = "Reply";
	this.EDIT = "Edit";
	this.FLAG = "Flag";
	this.MODERATE = "Moderate";
	this.CANCEL = "Cancel";
	this.REPLYING_TO = "Replying to";
	this.REPORT_MISSING_REACTIONS = "Report missing reactions";
	this.POST_A_COMMENT = "Post a comment";
	this.FLAG_INAPPROPRIATE_COMMENT = "Flag inappropriate comment";
	this.FLAGGED = "Flagged";
	this.NO = "No";
	this.YES = "Yes";
	this.NEVER_MIND = "Never mind";
	this.ARE_YOU_SURE_YOU_WOULD_LIKE_TO_REPORT_THIS_COMMENT_TO_A_MODERATOR = "Are you sure you would like to report this comment to a moderator";
	this.THIS_WILL_FLAG_COMMENTS_FOR_MODERATORS_TO_TAKE_ACTION = "This will flag comments for moderators to take action";
	this.TO_RATE_PLEASE_LOG_IN = "To rate, please log in";
	this.JUST_A_MOMENT = "Just a moment...";
	this.GUEST = "Guest";
	this.NAME = "Name";
	this.EMAIL = "Email";
  this.WEBSITE = "Website";
  this.SETTINGS = "Settings";
  this.MODERATOR_OPTIONS = "Moderator options: ";
};
// Dsq.Strings

/**
 * Dsq.FmtStrings: functions that return interpolated UI strings
 */
Dsq.FmtStrings = new function() {
	// Seems we have to use named interpolation for Django to translate. Investigate more.
	this.LOGGED_IN_AS = function(username) {
		return Dsq.Utils.interpolate('Logged in as %(username)s', {username:username});
	};

	this.LOGOUT_FROM = function(disqus) {
		return Dsq.Utils.interpolate('Logout from %(disqus)s', {disqus:disqus});
	};

	this.SHOWING_COMMENTS_FULL = function(total, num) {
		if (num === 1) {
			return Dsq.Utils.interpolate("Showing <span id='dsq-num-posts'>%(num)s</span> of <span id='dsq-total-posts'>%(total)s</span> comment", {num:num, total:total});
		} else {
			return Dsq.Utils.interpolate("Showing <span id='dsq-num-posts'>%(num)s</span> of <span id='dsq-total-posts'>%(total)s</span> comments", {num:num, total:total});
		}
	};

	this.SHOWING_COMMENTS_WITHOUT_PAGINATION = function(num) {
		if (num === 1) {
			return Dsq.Utils.interpolate("Showing <span id='dsq-num-posts'>%(num)s</span> comment", {num:num});
		} else {
			return Dsq.Utils.interpolate("Showing <span id='dsq-num-posts'>%(num)s</span> comments", {num:num});
		}
	};

	this.NUMBER_OF_COMMENTS = function(num) {
		return Dsq.Utils.interpolate(
			(num == 1
				? '%(num)s comment'
				: '%(num)s comments'
			), {num:num});
	};

	this.NUMBER_OF_LIKES = function(num) {
		return Dsq.Utils.interpolate(
			(num == 1
				? '%(num)s like'
				: '%(num)s likes'
			), {num:num});
	};

	this.NUMBER_OF_POINTS = function(num) {
		return Dsq.Utils.interpolate(
			(num == 1
				? '%(num)s point'
				: '%(num)s points'
			), {num:num});
	};
};
// Dsq.FmtStrings





Dsq.CSRF_TOKEN = '3a1994e3330279e78957da82fb64f754';
Dsq.COMMENTS_RE = /(<li.*?id="?dsq-comment-(\d+)"?.*?>)((?:.|\s)*?)(<\/li>)/gim;
Dsq.POST_RE = /(<div.*?id="?dsq-comment-header-(\d+)"?.*?>)((?:.|\s)*?)(<\/div>)\s*(<div.*?class="?dsq-comment-body"?.*?>)((?:.|\s)*)(<\/div>)/gim;
Dsq.POST_BODY_RE = /\s*(<div.*?id="?dsq-comment-message-(\d+)"?.*?>)((?:.|\s)*)(<\/div>)/gim;
// HACK: Safari ends with "-->" while other browsers end with "--&gt;" as expected.
Dsq.MEDIA_POST_RE = /&lt;!--\[(.*?)\]--(?:>|&gt;)/gim;



var FragmentPacket = function(reader, writer, writer_url, is_child, receiveCallback) {
	var that = this;
	this.reader = reader;
	this.writer = writer;
	this.writer_url = writer_url;

	this.is_child = is_child || false;
	this.receiveCallback = receiveCallback;

	this._lastHash = null;

	this._accumMsg = '';

	this._lastSeqno = 0;

	this.MAX_DATA_LEN	= 1024;

	this.WAIT_TIME		= 10;

	this.READY		= 0x1;
	this.WRITING	= 0x2;
	this.FIN		= 0x4;
	this.ACK		= 0x8;

};

FragmentPacket.prototype.createListener = function() {
	var that = this;
	var listener = function() {
		that.recv();
	};
	return window.setInterval(listener, 10);
};

FragmentPacket.prototype.log = function(msg) {



};

FragmentPacket.prototype.recv = function() {
	var hash;
	if (/MSIE/.test(navigator.userAgent)) {

		hash = this.reader.name;
	} else {

		var hashIndex = this.reader.location.href.indexOf('#');
		if (hashIndex == -1) {
			return;
		}
		hash = this.reader.location.href.substring(hashIndex+1);
	}
	var flags = parseInt(hash.substring(0, 4), 10);
	var seqno = parseInt(hash.substring(4, 24), 10);
	var data  = hash.substring(24);

	if (this._lastHash !== hash) {
		this._lastHash = hash;
		this.log('recv: ' + hash);

		this.log(' flags: ' + flags);
		this.log(' seqno: ' + seqno + ' len: ' + hash.substring(4, 24).length + ' (' + hash.substring(4, 24) + ')');
		this.log(' data: ' + data + ' len: ' + data.length);

		this._lastSeqno = seqno;

		if (flags & this.WRITING) {
			this._accumMsg += data;
			this.sendFlag(this.ACK, seqno);
			if (flags & this.FIN) {
				this.log('recv finished: ' + decodeURIComponent(this._accumMsg));
				this.receiveCallback(decodeURIComponent(this._accumMsg));

				this._accumMsg = '';

				this.sendFlag(this.READY | this.ACK, this._lastSeqno);
			}
		}
	}

	return {
		flags: flags,
		seqno: seqno,
		data: data
	};
};

FragmentPacket.prototype.sendRawPacket = function(packet) {
	if (/MSIE/.test(navigator.userAgent)) {
		this.writer.name = packet;
	} else {

		this.writer.location.href = this.writer_url + '#' + packet;
	}

};

FragmentPacket.prototype.sendFlag = function(flag, seqno) {
	this.sendRawPacket(this._zerofill(flag, 4) + this._zerofill(seqno, 20));
};

FragmentPacket.prototype.send = function(msg) {
	this._send(0, encodeURIComponent(msg));
};

FragmentPacket.prototype._send = function(packetNum, msg) {
	var that = this;
	var recvBuf = this.recv();

	if (packetNum === 0) {

		if (!(recvBuf.flags & this.READY)) {
			this.log('client is not ready, waiting...');
			window.setTimeout(function() { that._send(packetNum, msg); }, this.WAIT_TIME);
			return;
		}
	} else {

		if (!( (recvBuf.flags & this.ACK) && (recvBuf.seqno === this._lastSeqno) )) {
			this.log('waiting for ack from client...');
			window.setTimeout(function() { that._send(packetNum, msg); }, this.WAIT_TIME);
			return;
		} else {
			this.log('received ack: ' + this._lastSeqno + ' ' + recvBuf.seqno);
		}
	}

	var flags = this.WRITING;
	var num_packets = Math.ceil(msg.length / this.MAX_DATA_LEN);
	this.log('num_packets: ' + num_packets);

	if (num_packets === packetNum) {

		this.log('message successfully sent!');
		this.sendFlag(this.READY | this.ACK, this._lastSeqno);
		return true;
	}

	this._lastSeqno++;

	if (packetNum == num_packets-1) {
		flags |= this.FIN;
	}

	var data = msg.substring(packetNum * this.MAX_DATA_LEN, (packetNum+1) * this.MAX_DATA_LEN);
	var packet = this._zerofill(flags, 4) + this._zerofill(this._lastSeqno, 20) + data;

	this.log('sending raw packet: ' + packet);
	this.sendRawPacket(packet);

	return this._send(packetNum + 1, msg);
};

FragmentPacket.prototype._zerofill = function(num, width) {
	var retval = num.toString();
	var retval_len = retval.length;
	for (var i = 0; i < width - retval_len; i++) {
		retval = '0' + retval;
	}
	return retval;
};

var PostMessagePacket = function(receiver, receiveCallback, id, receiverId) {
	var that = this;
	this.receiver = receiver;
	this.receiveCallback = receiveCallback;
	this.id = id;


	this.receiverId = receiverId;
};

PostMessagePacket.prototype.createListener = function() {
	var that = this;

	var listener = function(e) {

		if (!that.id) {
			that.id = e.data;
			return;
		}


		var id = e.data.split(';')[0];
		if (id !== that.id) {
			return;
		}
		var data = e.data.substring(e.data.indexOf(';') + 1);

		that.receiveCallback(data);
	};

	if (typeof window.attachEvent == 'function') {
		window.attachEvent('onmessage', listener);
	} else if (typeof window.addEventListener == 'function') {
		window.addEventListener('message', listener, false);
	} else {
		throw new Error('No method found to create event listener for PostMessagePacket.');
	}
};

PostMessagePacket.prototype.send = function(msg) {



	var needs_reget = false;
	try {
		if (typeof this.receiver.id == 'undefined' || typeof this.receiver.postMessage == 'undefined') {
			needs_reget = true;
		}
	} catch(e) {


	}
	if (needs_reget && typeof this.receiverId != 'undefined') {
		this.receiver = document.getElementById(this.receiverId).contentWindow;
	}

	var packet;
	if (!msg) {

		packet = this.id;
	} else {
		packet = this.id + ';' + msg;
	}
	this.receiver.postMessage(packet, '*');
};

PostMessagePacket._last_unique_id = null;
PostMessagePacket._get_unique_id = function() {
	var id = (new Date()).getTime();
	if (id == PostMessagePacket._last_unique_id) {
		id++;
	}
	PostMessagePacket._last_unique_id = id;
	return id.toString();
};

var JsonRpc = function() {

	this.ids = {};

	this.objectToJSON = function(obj) {
		var json = '';
		var results = [];

		if (obj === undefined || obj === null) {
			return 'null';
		}

		switch (obj.constructor) {
			case Object:
				for (var property in obj) {
					if (obj.hasOwnProperty(property)) {
						results.push(this.objectToJSON(property) + ': ' + this.objectToJSON(obj[property]));
					}
				}
				json = '{' + results.join(', ') + '}';
				break;
			case Array:
				for (var i = 0; i < obj.length; i++) {
					results.push(this.objectToJSON(obj[i]));
				}
				json = '[' + results.join(', ') + ']';
				break;
			case Number:
			case Boolean:
				json = obj.toString();
				break;
			case String:

				var specialChars = {'\b': '\\b', '\t': '\\t', '\n': '\\n', '\f': '\\f', '\r': '\\r', '\\': '\\\\'};

				json = obj.replace(/[\x00-\x1f\\]/g, function(match) {
					var ch = specialChars[match];
					return ch ? ch : '\\u00' + match.charCodeAt().toPaddedString(2, 16);
				});

				json = '"' + json.replace(/"/g, '\\"') + '"';
				break;
			default:

				json = 'null';
				break;
		}

		return json;
	};

	this.createHandler = function(send_func, registered_funcs) {
		var that = this;
		var handler = function(message) {

			try {
				var rpc = eval('(' + message + ')');
			} catch(e) {
				alert('bad JSON: ' + message);
				return;
			}
			if (rpc.method) {

				if (!registered_funcs[rpc.method]) {
					return;
				}

				var retval = registered_funcs[rpc.method].apply(null, rpc.params);
				if (rpc.id) {
					var response = {
						result: retval,
						error: null,	// TODO
						id: rpc.id
					};
					send_func(that.objectToJSON(response));
				}
			} else if(rpc.result) {

				if (!that.ids[rpc.id]) {
					return;
				}

				that.ids[rpc.id](rpc.result);
				delete that.ids[rpc.id];
			}
		};
		return handler;
	};

	this.execute = function(send_func, method, params, response_callback) {
		response_callback = response_callback || null;
		var id = (response_callback) ? (new Date()).getTime() : null;

		var request = {
			method: method,
			params: params,
			id: id
		};

		send_func(this.objectToJSON(request));

		if (id) {
			this.ids[id] = response_callback;
		}
	};
};
JsonRpc = new JsonRpc();

var ParentMessenger = function(childUrl, receiverUrl, container, receiveCallback) {


	if (navigator.userAgent.indexOf('Safari') >= 0 && parseInt(navigator.userAgent.substring(navigator.userAgent.indexOf('Version/') + 8), 10) == 3) {
		throw new Error("unsupported.");
	} else if (window.opera) {
		throw new Error("unsupported.");
	}



	if (!receiverUrl &&
		navigator.userAgent.indexOf('Gecko') >= 0 &&
		parseFloat(navigator.userAgent.slice(navigator.userAgent.indexOf('rv:') + 3, navigator.userAgent.indexOf('rv:') + 6)) < 1.9) {
		throw new Error("unsupported.");
	}


	if (/msie/i.test(navigator.userAgent) && !/opera/i.test(navigator.userAgent)) {


		if (document.domain == window.location.hostname) {
			receiverUrl = '';
		}
	}

	var that = this;
	this.childUrl = childUrl;
	this.receiverUrl = receiverUrl;
	this.container = container || document.body;

	this.packetHandler = null;


	this._ready = false;
	this._error = false;


	var _createReceiverForFragmentPacket = function() {

		that.receiver = document.createElement('iframe');
		that.receiver.src = receiverUrl;
		that.receiver.id = 'receiver_' + (new Date()).getTime();
		that.receiver.name = that.receiver.id;

		that.receiver.frameBorder = '0';
		that.receiver.frameSpacing = '0';
		that.receiver.style.borderStyle = 'none';

		var receiver_onload = function() {
			var receiver = document.getElementById(that.receiver.id).contentWindow;

			try {
				receiver.document.body.innerHTML = '';
			} catch(e) {

				that._error = true;
			}
			receiver.document.body.style.padding = '0px';
			receiver.document.body.style.margin = '0px';

			var child = receiver.document.createElement('iframe');
			child.id = 'child';
			child.name = 'child';
			child.src = that.childUrl;

			child.frameBorder = '0';
			child.frameSpacing = '0';
			child.style.borderStyle = 'none';
			child.style.width = '100%';
			child.style.height = '100%';
			receiver.document.body.appendChild(child);

			that.child = receiver.document.getElementById('child').contentWindow;
			that.receiver = receiver;

			that.packetHandler = new FragmentPacket(that.receiver, that.child, that.childUrl, false, receiveCallback);

			that._listener = that.packetHandler.createListener();

			that.packetHandler.sendFlag(that.packetHandler.READY, 0);

			that._ready = true;
		};

		that.receiver.onreadystatechange = function() {
			if (this.readyState == 'complete') {
				receiver_onload();
			}
		};

		that.receiver.onload = receiver_onload;







		if (Dsq.Utils.ie) {
			if (that.container.clientWidth === 0) {

				var _waitForWidth = function() {
					if (that.container.clientWidth > 0) {
						Dsq.Utils.fixIframesIE(that.container.id);
					} else {
						window.setTimeout(_waitForWidth, 100);
					}
				};
				_waitForWidth();

				that._once = false;
				that.receiver.onresize = function() {
					if (!that._once) {
						Dsq.Utils.fixIframesIE(that.container.id);
					}
					that._once = true;
				};
			}
		}

		that.container.appendChild(that.receiver);
	};


	var _createReceiverForPostMessage = function() {

		var receiver_onload = function() {

			that.packetHandler.send();
			that._ready = true;
		};

		var id = PostMessagePacket._get_unique_id();
		var receiverId = 'child_' + id;


		ParentMessenger['_receiver_onload_' + receiverId] = receiver_onload;

		that.container.innerHTML += '<iframe ' +
			'src="' + childUrl + '" ' +
			'id="' + receiverId + '" ' +
			'name="' + receiverId + '" ' +
			'onload="ParentMessenger._receiver_onload_' + receiverId +'();" ' +
			'></iframe>';

		that.receiver = document.getElementById(receiverId).contentWindow;
		that.packetHandler = new PostMessagePacket(that.receiver, receiveCallback, id, receiverId);
		that._listener = that.packetHandler.createListener();
	};

	if (typeof window.postMessage == 'function') {
		_createReceiverForPostMessage();
	} else {
		_createReceiverForFragmentPacket();
	}

};

ParentMessenger.prototype.sendMessage = function(message) {
	var that = this;
	if (!this._ready) {

		window.setTimeout(function() { that.sendMessage(message); }, 10);
		return;
	}
	this.packetHandler.send(message);
	return true;
};

Dsq.NewFrames = function(url) {
	this.url = url;
};

Dsq.NewFrames.prototype.init = function(onFailure) {
	var that = this;

	try {
		this.messenger = new ParentMessenger(this.url, Dsq.jsonData.integration.receiver_url, this.container, this.receive_callback);
	} catch(e) {
		if (typeof onFailure == 'function') {
			onFailure();
		}
	}

	if (typeof onFailure == 'function') {
		var iId = window.setInterval(function() {
			if (typeof that.messenger == 'undefined') {
				window.clearInterval(iId);
				return;
			}
			if (that.messenger._ready) {
				window.clearInterval(iId);
			} else if (that.messenger._error) {
				window.clearInterval(iId);
				onFailure();
			}
		}, 10);
	}
};

Dsq.NewFrames.prototype._execute = function(method, args, callback) {
	var that = this;
	if (typeof that.messenger == 'undefined') {
		return false;
	}
	JsonRpc.execute(
		function(msg) { that.messenger.sendMessage(msg); },
		method,
		args || [],
		callback);
	return true;
};

Dsq.ReplyFrame = function(container, parent_post_id) {
	var that = this;
	this.container = container;
	this.parent_post_id = parent_post_id;

	var sendFunc = function(msg) {

		Dsq.Debug.log('Dsq.ReplyFrame.sendFunc');
		that.messenger.sendMessage(msg);
	};


	var postComment_onSuccess = function(response) {
		Dsq.jsonData.posts[response.message.id] = response.message.post_meta;
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.users[response.message.post_meta.user_key]) {
			Dsq.jsonData.users[response.message.post_meta.user_key] = response.message.user_meta;
		}


		var reply_position = (typeof(disqus_insert_wrt_sort) == 'undefined' 
			? (Dsq.jsonData.forum.reply_position ? -1 : null) 
			: (Dsq.jsonData.request.sort == 2 ? null : -1));
		
		if (response.message.post_meta.approved) {
			Dsq.Post.insert(response.message.post_meta.parent_post_id || reply_position, response.message.id, response.message.post_meta.message);
		}

		Dsq.Templates.postComment_onSuccess(response, parent_post_id, response.message.id);
	};

	var postComment_onFailure = function(response) {
		Dsq.Popup.popModal(response.message, 'Error');
		Dsq.Templates.postComment_onFailure(response, parent_post_id, response.message.id);
	};

	var editComment_onSuccess = function(response) {
		var post_id = parent_post_id;
		var message = Dsq.$('dsq-comment-message-' + post_id);
		
		message.innerHTML = response.message;
		Dsq.Templates.toggleEdit(post_id);
		Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(false);
	};
	
	var editComment_onFailure = function(response) {
		var post_id = parent_post_id;
		
		Dsq.Popup.popModal('Sorry, there was an error editing this comment.', 'Edit Error');
		Dsq.Templates.toggleEdit(post_id);
		Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(false);
	};

	var getUserByEmail_onSuccess = function(response) {
		var msg = response.message;
		var fields = Dsq.Templates.getFormFields(parent_post_id);

		if (msg.username) {

			Dsq.Templates.lightboxAuthenticate(parent_post_id, 'login', {
				'username': msg.username,
				'display_name': msg.display_name,
				'avatar_url': msg.avatar_url,
				'verified': msg.verified,
				'email': fields.email.value
			});
		} else {

			Dsq.Templates.lightboxAuthenticate(parent_post_id, 'register');
		}
	};

	var validateAuth_onSuccess = function(response, auth_choice) {
		Dsq.Templates.postComment(parent_post_id, null, true, auth_choice);
	};

	var validateAuth_onFailure = function(response, auth_choice) {
		var pid = parent_post_id ? '-' + parent_post_id : '';
		var msg = response.message;

		if (auth_choice == 'register') {
			var fields = ['email', 'username', 'password'];

			for (var i = 0; i < fields.length; i++) {
				var field = fields[i];
				var errorDiv = Dsq.$('dsq-' + field + '-errors' + pid);

				if (msg[field]) {
					errorDiv.innerHTML = msg[field];
				} else {
					errorDiv.innerHTML = '';
				}
			}
		} else if (auth_choice == 'login') {
			Dsq.$('dsq-lightbox-errors' + pid).innerHTML = '<p>We couldn\'t log you in. Please verify your login.</p>';
		}
		
		Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(false);
	};

	this.receive_callback = JsonRpc.createHandler(sendFunc, {
		'postComment.onSuccess': postComment_onSuccess,
		'postComment.onFailure': postComment_onFailure,
		'editComment.onSuccess': editComment_onSuccess,
		'editComment.onFailure': editComment_onFailure,		
		'getUserByEmail.onSuccess': getUserByEmail_onSuccess,
		'validateAuth.onSuccess': validateAuth_onSuccess,
		'validateAuth.onFailure': validateAuth_onFailure,
		'reload': function() { window.location.reload(); }
	});

	this.url = Dsq.Urls.REPLY +
		'?' + (new Date()).getTime() +
		'&f=gomediazine' +
		'&t=degree_or_no_degree' +
		'&ff=' + Dsq.Thread.ff +
		'&default_text=' + disqus_default_text +
		'&ifrs=' + encodeURIComponent(disqus_iframe_css);
	if (this.parent_post_id) {
		this.url += '&parent_post=' + this.parent_post_id;
	}
};

Dsq.ReplyFrame.prototype = new Dsq.NewFrames(Dsq.ReplyFrame.url);

Dsq.ReplyFrame.prototype.post = function(author_name, author_email, author_url, authenticate, sharing_services, subscribe) {
	this._execute('postComment', [author_name, author_email, author_url, authenticate, sharing_services, subscribe]);
};

Dsq.ReplyFrame.prototype.edit = function(post_id, message) {
	this._execute('editComment', [post_id, message]);
};

Dsq.ReplyFrame.prototype.setState = function(parent_post_id, depth) {
	this._execute('setState', [parent_post_id, depth]);
};

Dsq.ReplyFrame.prototype.getUserByEmail = function(email) {
	this._execute('getUserByEmail', [email]);
};

Dsq.ReplyFrame.prototype.validateAuth = function(auth_choice, email, username, password) {
	this._execute('validateAuth', [auth_choice, email, username, password]);
};

Dsq.ReplyFrame.prototype.authenticateFacebook = function(session, forum_url) {
	this._execute('authenticateFacebook', [session, forum_url]);
};

	Dsq.Facebook = function() {
	var that = this;

	var handleSessionData = function(session) {

		var forum_url = Dsq.jsonData.forum.url;




		if (typeof disqus_facebook_forum != 'undefined') {
			forum_url = disqus_facebook_forum;
		}
		Dsq.frames.reply_0.authenticateFacebook(session, forum_url);
	};

	var onLogin = function() {
		FB.Connect.getSignedPublicSessionData(handleSessionData);
	};

	this.login = function() {
		FB.Connect.requireSession(onLogin, true);
	};
};
Dsq.Facebook = new Dsq.Facebook();


	






Dsq.Themes = {};

Dsq.Themes.narcissus = new function() {
	this.addPostContainer = 'dsq-form-area';
	this.textareaContainer = 'dsq-textarea-wrapper';



	
	this.header = function() {
		var comments_count, total_posts, num_posts;
		var html = '';
		var missing_perm_tmpl;

		if (Dsq.jsonData.request.missing_perm) {
			missing_perm_tmpl = Dsq.Templates.missingPermissions();
			if (missing_perm_tmpl) {
				html += '<div class="dsq-missing-permissions">' + missing_perm_tmpl + '</div>';
			}
		}

		total_posts = Dsq.jsonData.thread.total_posts;
		num_posts = Dsq.jsonData.thread.num_posts;

		if (total_posts) {
			comments_count = Dsq.FmtStrings.SHOWING_COMMENTS_FULL(total_posts, num_posts);
		} else {
			comments_count = Dsq.FmtStrings.SHOWING_COMMENTS_WITHOUT_PAGINATION(num_posts);
		}

		html += ' \
		<div id="dsq-comments-title"> \
			<h3>' + comments_count + '</h3> \
		</div> \
		';

		html += ' \
		<div class="dsq-options"> \
			<span class="dsq-item-sort">'
				+ Dsq.Strings.SORT_BY + ' \
				<select id="dsq-sort-select" onchange="Dsq.Thread.sortBy(this.value);"> \
					<option value="hot" ' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.sort == 4 ? 'selected="selected"' : '') + '>' + Dsq.Strings.POPULAR_NOW + '</option> \
					<option value="best" ' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.sort == 3 ? 'selected="selected"' : '') + '>' + Dsq.Strings.BEST_RATING + '</option> \
					<option value="newest" ' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.sort == 2 ? 'selected="selected"' : '') + '>' + Dsq.Strings.NEWEST_FIRST + '</option> \
					<option value="oldest" ' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.sort == 1 ? 'selected="selected"' : '') + '>' + Dsq.Strings.OLDEST_FIRST + '</option> \
				</select> \
				&nbsp; \
			</span> \
			<span class="dsq-subscribe-email"> \
				<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/email.png" style="width:12px;height:12px;vertical-align:middle"> \
				<span id="dsq-subscribe">'
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.context.subscribed
						? '<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.subscribe(0); return false">' + Dsq.Strings.UNSUBSCRIBE + '</a>'
						: '<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.subscribe(1); return false">' + Dsq.Strings.SUBSCRIBE_BY_EMAIL + '</a>')
				+ '</span> \
			</span> \
			<span class="dsq-subscribe-rss" style="width:12px;height:12px;vertical-align:middle"> \
				<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/bullet-feed.png" alt="" /> \
				<a href="http://gomediazine.disqus.com/degree_or_no_degree/latest.rss">' + Dsq.Strings.SUBSCRIBE_BY_RSS + '</a> \
			</span> \
		</div> \
		';

		
		

		return html;

	};
	
	this.footer = function() {
		var html = '';

		html += Dsq.Templates.pagination();

		
		
			html += Dsq.Templates.realtime();
			html += Dsq.Templates.showThreadSettings();
			html += Dsq.Templates.postBox();

		html += Dsq.Templates.reactions();

		
			html += Dsq.Templates.trackbacks();
		


		if (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_global_moderator) {
 			html += ' \
				<div class="dsq-global-moderator-extras">'
					+ '<strong>shortname:</strong> ' + Dsq.jsonData.forum.url
					+ '<strong>thread id:</strong> ' + Dsq.jsonData.thread.id
					+ '<strong>thread slug:</strong> ' + Dsq.jsonData.thread.slug
				+ '</div> \
			';
		}

		return html;
	};
	
	this.realtime = function() {
		var html = '';
		
		if (Dsq.jsonData.realtime_enabled) {
			html += '<div id="dsq-realtime-options" class="dsq-options">'
					 + Dsq.Strings.REALTIME_UPDATING_IS + ' <strong id="dsq-realtime-status" style="text-transform: lowercase">' + Dsq.Strings.ENABLED + '</strong>. \
					 <a href="#" id="dsq-realtime-toggle" style="text-transform: capitalize"></a> \
					</div>';
		}

		if (!Dsq.jsonData.forum.streaming_realtime) {
			html += ' \
				<div style="display: none" id="dsq-realtime-alert" class="dsq-realtime-alert"><span id="dsq-realtime-queued"></span> <a href="#" id="dsq-realtime-show"></a></div> \
			';
		}
		
		return html;
	};

	this.showThreadSettings = function() {
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator) {
			return '';
		}

		html = '<div id="dsq-thread-settings" class="dsq-thread-settings">' + Dsq.Strings.MODERATOR_OPTIONS;
		html += '<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.showSettings(); return false;">' + Dsq.Strings.SETTINGS + '</a>';
		if (Dsq.jsonData.forum.reactions_enabled && Dsq.jsonData.reactions.length === 0) {
			html += '<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Reaction.reportMissingReactions(); return false;">'
						+ Dsq.Strings.REPORT_MISSING_REACTIONS
						+ '</a>';
		}
		html +='</div>';

		return html;
	};

	this.postBox = function(post_id, use_fallback_iframe) {


		var html;
		var display_sharing_options = Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated;

		if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated && Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled && !Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post) {
			return '';
		}
		
		if (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote) {


			if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.hasOwnProperty(Dsq.jsonData.request.remote_domain)) {
				display_sharing_options = false;
			}
		}
		
		if (post_id) {
			var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
			var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];				
		}
		
		var pid = post_id ? '-' + post_id : '';

		var _requestUserInfo = function() {
			var html;



			var user_has_email = false;

			html = '<div class="dsq-request-user-info"> <!-- // If authenticated --> \
				<a href="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + Dsq.Urls.LOGOUT + '?ctkn=' + Dsq.CSRF_TOKEN + '" class="dsq-request-user-logout">' + Dsq.Strings.LOGOUT + '</a> \
				<table> \
					<tr> \
						<td rowspan="2">'
							+ (!Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled ? '<a href="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + Dsq.Urls.REQUEST_USER_PROFILE + '">' : '')
								+ '<img src="' + Dsq.Urls.REQUEST_USER_AVATAR + '" width="48" height="48" class="dsq-request-user-avatar">'
							+ (!Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled ? '</a>' : '')
						+ '</td> \
						<td class="dsq-request-user-name">'
								+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote
									 ? '<span class="dsq-badge-small dsq-badge-' + Dsq.jsonData.request.remote_domain + '">' + Dsq.jsonData.request.remote_domain + '</span>'
									 : (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_verified
											? '<span class="dsq-badge-small dsq-badge-verified">Verified</span>'
											: '<span class="dsq-badge-small dsq-badge-registered">Registered</span>'))
							+ (!Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled ? ' <a href="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + Dsq.Urls.REQUEST_USER_PROFILE + '">' : '') 
								+ Dsq.jsonData.request.display_username 
							+ (!Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled ? '</a>' : '')
							+  (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote && user_has_email ? ' <small>(<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.remoteAccountSettings(); return false;">change settings</a>)</small>' : '')
							+  (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote && !Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled ? ' <small>(<a href="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/profile/info/" target="_blank">change name</a> or <a href="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/profile/avatar/" target="_blank">picture</a>)</small>' : '')
						+ '</td> \
					</tr> \
					<tr> \
						<td class="dsq-request-user-stats"> \
							<span><big>' + Dsq.jsonData.request.comments_count + '</big> ' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.comments_count == 1 ? 'comment' : 'comments') + '</span> \
							<span><big>' + Dsq.jsonData.request.likes_count + '</big> ' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.likes_count == 1 ? 'like' : 'likes') + '</span> \
							<span><big>' + Dsq.jsonData.request.points + '</big> ' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.points == 1 ? 'point' : 'points') + '</span> \
						</td> \
					</tr> \
				</table> \
			</div> \
			';
			return html;
		};

		var _loginOptions = function() {
			var html;
			html = ' \
			<div class="dsq-authenticate"> \
				<p class="dsq-autheneticate-copy">'
				+ (Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post
					? Dsq.Strings.YOU_ARE_COMMENTING_AS_A + ' <a class="dsq-help" title="Click for more information" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges(); return false">Guest</a>. ' + Dsq.Strings.OPTIONAL + ': ' + Dsq.Strings.LOGIN_BELOW + '.'
					: Dsq.Strings.REQUIRED + ': ' + Dsq.Strings.PLEASE_LOGIN_BELOW_TO_COMMENT + '.')
				+ '</p> \
				<ul class="dsq-login-buttons">'
					+ (!Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled ? '<li class="dsq-login-button"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.login(); return false"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/themes/narcissus/login-disqus.gif" /></a></li>' : '')
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.context.use_fb_connect ? '<li class="dsq-login-button"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Facebook.login(); return false;"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/themes/narcissus/login-facebook.gif" /></a></li>' : '')
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.context.use_twitter_signin ? '<li class="dsq-login-button"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Twitter.startTwitterConnect(); return false"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/themes/narcissus/login-twitter.gif" /></a></li>' : '')
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.context.use_openid ? '<li class="dsq-login-button"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.OpenID.requestURL(); return false" ><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/themes/narcissus/login-openid.gif" /></a></li>' : '')
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.context.use_yahoo ? '<li class="dsq-login-button"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Yahoo.startYahooConnect(); return false"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/themes/narcissus/login-yahoo.gif" /></a></li>' : '')
				+ '</ul> \
			</div> \
			';
			return html;
		};

		if (!Dsq.jsonData.context.show_reply) {


			if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated) {



				return '<div id="dsq-form-area" style="display:none"><div id="dsq-textarea-wrapper"></div></div>' + _loginOptions();
			} else {
				return '';
			}
		}

		html = ' \
		<div id="' + (post_id 
			? 'dsq-reply-post-' + post_id
			: 'dsq-new-post')
		 	+ '" class="dsq-post-area"> \
			<div class="dsq-dc-logo"> \
				<a href="http://disqus.com/comments" target="_blank"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/themes/narcissus/disqus-logo.png"></a> \
			</div>'
			+ (post_id 
				? '<h3>' + Dsq.Strings.REPLYING_TO + ' ' + userData.display_name + '</h3>'
				: '<h3>' + Dsq.Strings.ADD_NEW_COMMENT + '</h3>')
			+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated 
				? _requestUserInfo()
				: _loginOptions() )
			+ '<div id="dsq-form-area' + pid + '">'
			+ '<div class="dsq-textarea"> \
				<div class="dsq-textarea-wrapper" id="dsq-textarea-wrapper' + pid + '"></div> \
			</div>'
			+ (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated
			? ' \
			<div class="dsq-post-fields"> \
				<form action="." method="GET" onsubmit="Dsq.Templates.postComment(' + post_id + ', this, false); return false;"> \
				<table> \
					<tr> \
						<td class="dsq-post-fields-left"><div class="dsq-input-wrapper"><input id="dsq-field-name' + pid + '" type="text" value="' + (disqus_def_name ? disqus_def_name : (Dsq.jsonData.session.name ? Dsq.jsonData.session.name : Dsq.Strings.NAME + '" class="dsq-placeholder')) + '" onfocus="Dsq.Templates.handlePlaceholder(event, this, \'name\')" onblur="Dsq.Templates.handlePlaceholder(event, this, \'name\')" /></div></td> \
						<td class="dsq-post-fields-right"><div class="dsq-input-wrapper"><input id="dsq-field-website' + pid + '" type="text" value="' + (Dsq.jsonData.session.url ? Dsq.jsonData.session.url : Dsq.Strings.WEBSITE + ' (' + Dsq.Strings.OPTIONAL.toLowerCase() + ')" class="dsq-placeholder') + '" onfocus="Dsq.Templates.handlePlaceholder(event, this, \'website\')" onblur="Dsq.Templates.handlePlaceholder(event, this, \'website\')" /></div></td> \
					</tr> \
					<tr> \
						<td class="dsq-post-fields-left"><div class="dsq-input-wrapper"><input id="dsq-field-email' + pid + '" type="text" value="' + (disqus_def_email ? disqus_def_email : (Dsq.jsonData.session.email ? Dsq.jsonData.session.email : Dsq.Strings.EMAIL + '" class="dsq-placeholder')) + '" onfocus="Dsq.Templates.handlePlaceholder(event, this, \'email\')" onblur="Dsq.Templates.handlePlaceholder(event, this, \'email\')" /></div></td> \
						<td class="dsq-post-fields-right"> \
							<div class="dsq-subscribe"> \
								<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Templates.chooseSubscribe(' + post_id + '); return false" class="dsq-subscribe-menu"><span id="dsq-subscribe-select' + pid + '">' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.subscribe_on_post ? Dsq.Strings.SUBSCRIBE_TO_ALL_COMMENTS_BY_EMAIL : Dsq.Strings.DO_NOT_SUBSCRIBE_TO_COMMENTS) + '</span> <small>&#9660;</small></a> \
								<ul class="dsq-panel" id="dsq-subscribe-menu' + pid + '"> \
									<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Templates.setSubscribe(2, this, ' + post_id + '); return false">Subscribe to all comments by email</a></li> \
									<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Templates.setSubscribe(0, this, ' + post_id + '); return false">Do not subscribe to comments</a></li> \
								</ul> \
								<input id="dsq-subscribe-on-post' + pid + '" type="hidden" value="' + Dsq.jsonData.request.subscribe_on_post + '" /> \
							</div> \
						</td> \
					</tr> \
				</table> \
				</form> \
			</div>'
			: '')
			+ '<div class="dsq-post-footer"> \
				<div class="dsq-sharing-options" ' + (!display_sharing_options ? 'style="display:none;"' : '') + '> \
					<button class="dsq-button-small" onfocus="document.getElementById(\'dsq-post-button' + pid + '\').focus();"><span>' + Dsq.Strings.SHARING_OPTIONS + ' <small>&#9660;</small></span></button> \
					<div class="dsq-panel"> '
						+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.twitter !== undefined
								&& Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.twitter.enabled === true
							? '<div><input type="checkbox" id="dsq-sharing-twitter' + pid + '"'
								  + (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.twitter.auto === true ? 'checked=true' : '') + '/> \
									<label for="dsq-sharing-twitter' + pid + '">' + Dsq.Strings.SHARE_ON + ' Twitter</label> \
								 </div>'
							: '')
						+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.facebook
								&& (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.facebook.enabled === true ||
										(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote && Dsq.jsonData.request.remote_domain == 'facebook'))
							? '<div><input type="checkbox" id="dsq-sharing-facebook' + pid + '"'
									+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.facebook.auto === true ? 'checked=true' : '') + '/> \
									<label for="dsq-sharing-facebook' + pid + '">' + Dsq.Strings.SHARE_ON + ' Facebook</label> \
								 </div>'
							: '')
						+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.yahoo !== undefined
								&& Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.yahoo.enabled === true
							? '<div><input type="checkbox" id="dsq-sharing-yahoo' + pid + '"'
									+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.yahoo.auto === true ? 'checked=true' : '') + '/> \
									<label for="dsq-sharing-yahoo' + pid + '">' + Dsq.Strings.SHARE_ON + ' Yahoo!</label> \
								</div>'
							: '')
						+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.tumblr !== undefined
								&& Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.tumblr.enabled === true
							? '<div><input type="checkbox" id="dsq-sharing-tumblr' + pid + '"'
									+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.tumblr.auto === true ? 'checked=true' : '') + '/> \
									<label for="dsq-sharing-tumblr' + pid + '">' + Dsq.Strings.SHARE_ON + ' Tumblr</label> \
								 </div>'
							: '')
						+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.wordpress !== undefined
								&& Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.wordpress.enabled === true
							? '<div><input type="checkbox" id="dsq-sharing-wordpress' + pid + '"'
									+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.wordpress.auto === true ? 'checked=true' : '') + '/> \
									<label for="dsq-sharing-wordpress' + pid + '">' + Dsq.Strings.SHARE_ON + ' Wordpress</label> \
								 </div>'
							: '')
						+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.movabletype !== undefined
							  && Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.movabletype.enabled === true
							? '<div><input type="checkbox" id="dsq-sharing-movabletype' + pid + '"'
									+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.movabletype.auto === true ? 'checked=true' : '') + '/> \
									<label for="dsq-sharing-movabletype' + pid + '">' + Dsq.Strings.SHARE_ON + ' Movable Type</label> \
							   </div>'
							: '')
						+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.typepad !== undefined
							  && Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.typepad.enabled === true
							? '<div><input type="checkbox" id="dsq-sharing-typepad' + pid + '"'
									+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.typepad.auto === true ? 'checked=true' : '') + '/> \
								  <label for="dsq-sharing-typepad' + pid + '">' + Dsq.Strings.SHARE_ON + ' TypePad</label> \
							   </div>'
							: '')
						+ '<div><a href="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/profile/connections/" target="_blank" class="dsq-configure-options">' + Dsq.Strings.CONFIGURE_OPTIONS + '</a></div>'
					+ '</div> \
				</div>'
				+ '<button class="dsq-button" id="dsq-post-button' + pid + '" onclick="Dsq.Templates.postComment(' + post_id + ', this, false)"><span>' + Dsq.Strings.POST_AS + ' '
				+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.display_username
					? Dsq.jsonData.request.display_username
					: Dsq.Strings.GUEST)
				+ '</span></button>'
				+ (post_id
					? '<button class="dsq-button" id="dsq-cancel-button' + pid + '" onclick="Dsq.Post.toggleReply(' + post_id +', this)"><span>' + Dsq.Strings.CANCEL + '</span></button>'
					: '')
			+ '</div>'
			+ '</div>' // end dsq-form-area
		+ '</div> \
		';
		
		return html;
	};




	this.appendPost = function(post_id) {
		var html = '<div id="dsq-append-post-' + post_id + '"></div>';
		return html;
	};

	this.postPrependHeader = function(post_id) {
		var html;
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];
		
		html = ' \
		<table> \
			<tr> \
				<td id="dsq-header-avatar-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-header-avatar" onmouseover="Dsq.Post.dropProfile(' + post_id + ')"> \
					<a id="dsq-avatar-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-avatar" href="' + userData.url + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.popProfile(' + post_id + '); return false;">'
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.forum.show_avatar
					? '<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.users[_meta.user_key].avatar + '" alt="" />'
					: '')
				+ '</a> \
				</td> \
				<td class="dsq-comment-header-meta"> \
		';

		
		return html;
	};
	
	this.postAppendHeader = function(post_id) {
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		var html;
		var parent_display_name = '';
		
		if(_meta.parent_post_id) {

			var _parent_meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[_meta.parent_post_id];

			if (_parent_meta) {
				var parentUserData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_parent_meta.user_key];
				parent_display_name = parentUserData.display_name;
			}
		}

		html = ' \
		<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/themes/narcissus/moderator.png" class="dsq-moderator-star" title="Moderator" /> \
		<span class="dsq-comment-header-time"><a href="#comment-' + post_id + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.permalink(' + post_id + ')" title="Permalink">' + (_meta.is_realtime ? Dsq.Strings.JUST_NOW : _meta.date) + '</a></span> '
		+ (_meta.parent_post_id && parent_display_name
			? '<a href="#comment-' + _meta.parent_post_id + '" title="Jump to comment">in reply to ' + parent_display_name + '</a>'
			: '')
		+ '</td> \
		<td id="dsq-like-pts-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-comment-header-likes">'
		+ (_meta.points
			? _meta.points + Dsq.Utils.pluralize(_meta.points, ' person', ' people') + ' liked this.'
			: '')
		+ '</td> \
		</tr> \
		</table> \
		';
		return html;
	};

	this.preBody = function(post_id) {
		var html = '';
		return html;
	};

	this.postFooter = function(post_id) {
		var html;
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		if(_meta.killed || !_meta.approved) { return ''; }
		
		html = ' \
		<div class="dsq-comment-footer" id="dsq-comment-footer-' + post_id + '"> \
			<div class="dsq-comment-footer-left">'
				+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator || Dsq.jsonData.request.is_global_moderator
					? '<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Templates.moderateOptions(' + post_id+ '); return false">' + Dsq.Strings.MODERATE + '</a>'
					: '')
				+ '<a href="#" id="dsq-post-report-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-post-report" onclick="Dsq.Post.report(' + post_id + ', false); return false;">' + Dsq.Strings.FLAG + '</a> \
			</div> \
			<div class="dsq-comment-footer-right">'
				+ (_meta.votable 
					? '<span id="dsq-like-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-like">'
					+ (!_meta.up_voted
						? '<button class="dsq-button-small" onclick="Dsq.Post.rate(this, ' + post_id + ', 1)" >Like</button>'
						: 'You liked this.&nbsp;&nbsp;')
					+ '</span>'
					: '')
				+ (_meta.can_reply && !_meta.has_replies && _meta.from_request_user
					? '<button class="dsq-button-small dsq-post-edit" onclick="Dsq.Post.edit(this, ' + post_id + ')" >' + Dsq.Strings.EDIT + '</button>'
					: '')
				+ (_meta.can_reply
					? '<span class="dsq-comment-footer-reply" id="dsq-comment-footer-reply-' + post_id + '" onclick="Dsq.Post.toggleReply(' + post_id +', this)"> \
						<button class="dsq-button-small">' + Dsq.Strings.REPLY + '</button> \
						<button class="dsq-comment-footer-reply-tab">' + Dsq.Strings.REPLY + '</button><span></span> \
					</span>'
					: '')
			+ '</div> \
		</div> \
		';
		
		return html;
	};



	
	this.showRetweets = function(id, limit, element_id /* Optional */) {
		var source, html = '';

		for (var i = 0, reaction; reaction = Dsq.jsonData.reactions[i]; i++) {
			if (reaction.id === id) {
				source = reaction.retweets;
			}
		}

		if (source) {
			if (limit === 0) {
				limit = source.length;
			}

			for (var j = 0; j < limit; j++) {
				var rt = source[j];
				html += '<a href="' + rt.url + '">' + rt.author_name + '</a>'	+ ((j === (limit - 1)) ? '.' : ', ');
			}
		}

		if (element_id === undefined) {
			return html;
		}

		var element = document.getElementById(element_id);
		element.innerHTML = html;
		return element;
	};

	this.showMoreReactions = function(reactions, has_more, start, limit) {
		var link = document.getElementById('dsq-show-more-reactions');
		var container = link.parentNode;
		container.removeChild(link);

		for (var i = 0, reaction; reaction = reactions[i]; i++) {
			var el = Dsq.Templates.generateReactionHTML(reaction);
			if (el) {
				container.innerHTML += el;
			}
		}

		if (has_more) {
			var d = Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url;
			var f = Dsq.jsonData.forum.url;
			var t = Dsq.jsonData.thread.id;
			var s = start;
			var l = limit;

			var handler = 'Dsq.Utils.execScript(\'' + d + '/forums/' + f + '/more_reactions.js?t=' + t + '&s=' + s + '&l=' + l + '\', true); return false;';
			container.innerHTML += '<li id="dsq-show-more-reactions" class="dsq-show-more-reactions"><button class="dsq-button-small" onclick="' + handler + '">Show more reactions</button></li>';
		}
	};

	this.generateReactionHTML = function(reaction) {
		if (reaction.body === null || reaction.body == '') {
			return;
		}

		if (reaction.author_name === '') {
			reaction.author_name = '&nbsp;';
		}

		if (reaction.url === '') {
			reaction.url = reaction.get_service_url;
		}

		var item = '<li class="dsq-comment dsq-reaction" id="dsq-reaction-' + reaction.id + '">'
			+ '<div class="dsq-comment-header"> \
			<table> \
			<tr> \
			<td class="dsq-header-avatar"> \
			';

		if (reaction.author_url && reaction.author_url !== '') {
			item += '<a target="_blank" href="' + reaction.author_url +'" class="dsq-avatar">';
		}

		if (reaction.avatar_url && reaction.avatar_url !== '') {
			item += '<img src="' + reaction.avatar_url + '"/>';
		} else {

			item += '<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/noavatar92.png"/>';
		}

		var service_icon = (reaction.get_service_name == 'trackback' || reaction.get_service_name == 'pingback' ? 'rss' : reaction.get_service_name.replace(' ', ''));
		item += (reaction.author_url && reaction.author_url !== ''
				? '</a>'
				: '')
			+ '</td>'
			+ '<td><cite class="dsq-comment-cite">' + reaction.author_name + '</cite> <span class="dsq-comment-header-time">' + reaction.date_created + '</span></td>'
			+ '<td class="dsq-comment-header-likes"></td>'
			+ '</tr></table></div>' // end dsq-comment-header
			+ '<div class="dsq-reaction-header" \
				<table> \
					<tr> \
						<td class="dsq-reaction-header-left">'
							+ '<img class="dsq-service-icon" src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/reactions/services/' + service_icon + '.png" />'
							+ ' From <a class="dsq-service-name" target="_blank" href="' + reaction.url + '">' + reaction.get_service_name + '</a> '
							+ 'via ' + (reaction.source == 'backtype' ? '<a href="http://backtype.com/">BackType</a>' : '<a href="' + reaction.source_url + '">UberVU</a>')
						+ '</td>'
						+ '<td class="dsq-reaction-header-right">';
			
			if(reaction.retweets) {
				var num_retweets = reaction.retweets.length;
				if (num_retweets > 0) {
					if (num_retweets == 1) {
						item += 'One more retweet from <a href="' + reaction.retweets[0].url + '">'  + reaction.retweets[0].author_name + '</a>';
					} else {
						item += (num_retweets + ' more retweets from ');
						item += '<span id="dsq-reaction-retweets-' + reaction.id + '">';
						var n_tweets = (num_retweets > 3) ? 3 : num_retweets;
						item += Dsq.Templates.showRetweets(reaction.id, n_tweets);
						if (n_tweets != num_retweets) {
							item += '</span> <a onclick="Dsq.Templates.showRetweets(' + reaction.id + ', 0, \'dsq-reaction-retweets-' + reaction.id + '\');'
								+ 'this.parentNode.removeChild(this); return false;" href="#">Show all</a>';
						}
					}
				}
			}	
			item += '</td></tr> \
			</table> \
			</div>' // end dsq-reaction-header
			+ '<div class="dsq-comment-body"> \
				<div class="dsq-comment-message">' + reaction.body + '</div>'
			+ '</div> \
			<div class="dsq-comment-footer"> \
				<div class="dsq-comment-footer-left"> \
				</div>'
				+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator || Dsq.jsonData.request.is_global_moderator 
					? ' \
					<div class="dsq-comment-footer-right"> \
						<button class="dsq-button-small dsq-hide-reaction" onclick="Dsq.Reaction.hide(' + reaction.id + ')">Hide</button> \
					</div>'
					: '')
			+ '</div>'
		item += '</li>'; /* Reaction HTML ends */
		return item;
	};

	this.reactions = function() {
		var html, reaction;

		if (Dsq.jsonData.reactions === undefined || Dsq.jsonData.reactions.length === 0) {
			return '';
		}

		html = '';
		for (var i = 0; reaction = Dsq.jsonData.reactions[i]; i++) {
			var item = Dsq.Templates.generateReactionHTML(reaction);
			if (item) {
				html += item;
			}
		}

		if (Dsq.jsonData.has_more_reactions) {
			var d = Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url;
			var f = Dsq.jsonData.forum.url;
			var t = Dsq.jsonData.thread.id;
			var s = Dsq.jsonData.reactions_start;
			var l = Dsq.jsonData.reactions_limit;

			var handler = 'Dsq.Utils.execScript(\'' + d + '/forums/' + f + '/more_reactions.js?t=' + t + '&s=' + s + '&l=' + l + '\', true); return false;';
			html += '<li id="dsq-show-more-reactions" class="dsq-show-more-reactions"><button class="dsq-button-small" onclick="' + handler + '">Show more reactions</button></li>';
		}

		return '<h3 id="dsq-reactions-title" class="dsq-h3-reactions">Reactions</h3><ul id="dsq-reactions" class="dsq-reactions">' + html + '</ul>';
	};
	
	this._popupGeneric = function(content) {
		return ' \
		<div class="dsq-popup-container"> \
			<table> \
				<tbody> \
					<tr> \
						<td class="dsq-popup-tl"></td><td class="dsq-popup-b"></td><td class="dsq-popup-tr"></td> \
					</tr> \
					<tr> \
						<td class="dsq-popup-b"></td> \
						<td class="dsq-popup-body"> \
							<div class="dsq-popup-content"> \
								<div class="dsq-popup-title"> \
									<button class="dsq-button-small" style="float:right" onclick="Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true)">Close</button>' 
									+ content['header'] 
								+ '</div>'
								+ content['body']
							+ '</div> \
							<div class="powered-by"><a href="http://disqus.com/comments/">Powered by <img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/disqus-logo.png" alt="Disqus Comments" style="margin-bottom:-5px" /></a></div> \
						</td> \
						<td class="dsq-popup-b"></td> \
					</tr> \
					<tr> \
						<td class="dsq-popup-bl"></td><td class="dsq-popup-b"></td><td class="dsq-popup-br"></td> \
					</tr> \
				</tbody> \
			</table> \
		</div> \
		';
	};



	
	this.chooseSubscribe = function(post_id) {

		var pid = post_id ? '-' + post_id : '';
		var menu = Dsq.$('dsq-subscribe-menu' + pid);
		
		menu.style.display = menu.style.display == 'block' ? 'none' : 'block';
		
	};
	
	this.setSubscribe = function(value, el, post_id) {

		var pid = post_id ? '-' + post_id : '';
		var input = Dsq.$('dsq-subscribe-on-post' + pid);
		var select = Dsq.$('dsq-subscribe-select' + pid);
		var menu = Dsq.$('dsq-subscribe-menu' + pid);
		
		select.innerHTML = el.innerHTML;
		input.value = value;
		this.chooseSubscribe(post_id);
	};
	
	this.getFormFields = function(post_id) {

		var fields = {};
		var pid = post_id ? '-' + post_id : '';
		var name = Dsq.$('dsq-field-name' + pid);
		var email = Dsq.$('dsq-field-email' + pid);
		var website = Dsq.$('dsq-field-website' + pid);
		var username = Dsq.$('dsq-field-username' + pid);
		var password = Dsq.$('dsq-field-password' + pid);

		fields = {
			'name': name,
			'email': email,
			'website': website,
			'username': username,
			'password': password
		}
		
		return fields;
	}
	
	this.validateFields = function(post_id) {
		
		if(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated) { return true; }
		
		var fields = Dsq.Templates.getFormFields(post_id);
		
		var nameField = fields.name;
		var websiteField = fields.website;
		var emailField = fields.email;
		
		websiteField.value = (websiteField.value == Dsq.Templates.placeholder['website']) ? '' : websiteField.value;
		
		var v = [{

			validator: Dsq.Validators.name,
			value: nameField.value
		}, {

			validator: Dsq.Validators.email,
			value: emailField.value
		}, {

			validator: Dsq.Validators.url,
			value: websiteField.value
		}];
		
		return Dsq.Validators.validate(v, function(e) { Dsq.Popup.popModal(e, 'Oops...') } );
	};
	
	this.checkExistingUser = function(post_id) {
		var fields = Dsq.Templates.getFormFields(post_id);		
		Dsq.Popup.loading(post_id);
		
		if (post_id) {
			Dsq.frames['reply_' + post_id].getUserByEmail(fields.email.value);
		} else {
			Dsq.frames['reply_0'].getUserByEmail(fields.email.value);
		}
	};

	this.validateAuth = function(el_clicked, post_id, auth_choice) {
		var fields = Dsq.Templates.getFormFields(post_id);
		var email = fields.email ? fields.email.value : '';
		var username = fields.username ? fields.username.value : '';
		var password = fields.password ? fields.password.value : '';
		
		Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(el_clicked, post_id);
		
		if (post_id) {
			Dsq.frames['reply_' + post_id].validateAuth(auth_choice, email, username, password);
		} else {
			Dsq.frames['reply_0'].validateAuth(auth_choice, email, username, password);
		}
	};

	this.lightboxUpdateEmail = function(post_id, new_email) {
		var fields = Dsq.Templates.getFormFields(post_id);
		fields.email.value = new_email;
	};

	this.lightboxAuthenticate = function(post_id, auth_choice, auth_data) {
		var title, body;
		var pid = post_id ? '-' + post_id : '';

		if(typeof(auth_data) == 'undefined') {
			var auth_data = Dsq.Templates.getFormFields(post_id);
		}

		d = auth_data;

		switch(auth_choice) {
			case 'register':
				var suggestedUsername = d.name.value.replace(/[^a-zA-Z0-9-]/g,'').toLowerCase();
			
				title = Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post ? 'Optional:' : 'Required:';
				title += ' Register a <img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/disqus-profile.png" alt=Disqus Profile" />';

				body = ' \
				<ul class="dsq-lightbox-register-reasons"> \
				<li>Verify your comments</li> \
				<li>Edit and delete comments</li> \
				<li>Manage comments and replies</li> \
				</ul> \
				';

				body += ' \
				<div class="dsq-lightbox-auth-fields"> \
					<table> \
						<tr> \
							<td>Email</td> \
							<td><input type="text" value="' + d.email.value + '" onchange="Dsq.Templates.lightboxUpdateEmail(' + post_id + ', this.value)" /><div id="dsq-email-errors' + pid + '"></div></td> \
						</tr> \
						<tr> \
							<td>Username</td> \
							<td><input id="dsq-field-username' + pid + '" type="text" value="' + suggestedUsername + '"/><div id="dsq-username-errors' + pid + '"></div></td> \
						</tr> \
						<tr> \
							<td>Password</td> \
							<td><input id="dsq-field-password' + pid + '" type="password" /><div id="dsq-password-errors' + pid + '"></div></td> \
						</tr> \
					</table> \
					<div class="dsq-lightbox-switch-auth"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Templates.lightboxAuthenticate(' + post_id + ',\'login\'); return false">Login instead</a></div> \
				</div> \
				<div id="dsq-lightbox-errors' + pid + '" class="dsq-lightbox-errors"></div> \
				<div class="dsq-lightbox-submit"> \
					<div class="dsq-lightbox-auth-post"><button class="dsq-button" onclick="Dsq.Templates.validateAuth(this, ' + post_id + ',\'' + auth_choice + '\')">Register and Post comment</button></div>'
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post
						? '<div class="dsq-lightbox-auth-skip"><button class="dsq-button-small" onclick="Dsq.Templates.postComment(' + post_id + ', this, true)">Just post as a Guest</button></div>'
						: '')
				+ '</div> \
				';
				break;
			case 'login':
				title = Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post ? 'Optional:' : 'Required:';
				title += ' Login to your <img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/disqus-profile.png" alt=Disqus Profile" />';
				body = '';
				
				if(d.avatar_url) {
					body += '<div class="dsq-lightbox-recognized"><table><tr>';
					body += '<td><img src="' + d.avatar_url + '" alt="" /></td>';
					body += '<td><span class="dsq-badge ' + (d.verified ? 'dsq-badge-verified' : 'dsq-badge-registered') + '">' + (d.verified ? 'Verified' : 'Registered') + '</span></td>';
					body += '<td>Hey <strong>' + d.display_name + '</strong>, is that you? Login below to claim this comment.';
					body += '</tr></table></div>';
				}

				body += ' \
				<div class="dsq-lightbox-auth-fields"> \
					<table> \
						<tr> \
							<td>Username or Email</td> \
							<td><input id="dsq-field-username' + pid + '" type="text" value="' + (d.avatar_url ? d.username : '') + '" /></td> \
						</tr> \
						<tr> \
							<td>Password <a href="http://disqus.com/forgot" target="_blank">(cannot log in?)</a></td> \
							<td><input id="dsq-field-password' + pid + '" type="password" /></td> \
						</tr> \
					</table> \
					<div class="dsq-lightbox-switch-auth"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Templates.lightboxAuthenticate(' + post_id + ',\'register\'); return false">Register instead</a></div> \
				</div> \
				<div id="dsq-lightbox-errors' + pid + '" class="dsq-lightbox-errors"></div> \
				<div class="dsq-lightbox-submit"> \
					<div class="dsq-lightbox-auth-post"><button class="dsq-button" onclick="Dsq.Templates.validateAuth(this, ' + post_id + ',\'' + auth_choice + '\')">Login and Post comment</button></div>'
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post
						? '<div class="dsq-lightbox-auth-skip"><button class="dsq-button-small" onclick="Dsq.Templates.postComment(' + post_id + ', this, true)">Just post as a Guest</button></div>'
						: '')
				+ '</div> \
				';
				break;
			default:
				break;
		}
		Dsq.Popup.lightbox(body, title, post_id);
		Dsq.$('dsq-field-username' + pid).focus();
	};
	
	this.buttonsToRestore = [];
	this.setLoadingButton = function(btn, post_id) {
		var pid = post_id ? '-' + post_id : '';
		if (btn) {

			var loadingBtn = document.createElement('button');
			loadingBtn.id = btn.id + '-loading';
			loadingBtn.innerHTML = '<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading-lite.gif" alt="" /> Just a moment...';
			loadingBtn.className = btn.className + ' dsq-post-loading';
			btn.parentNode.appendChild(loadingBtn);
			btn.style.display = 'none';
			var cancelBtn = Dsq.$('dsq-cancel-button' + pid);
			if(cancelBtn) { cancelBtn.style.display = 'none'; this.buttonsToRestore.push(cancelBtn); }
			this.buttonsToRestore.push(btn);
		} else {

			var buttons = this.buttonsToRestore;
			for(var i = 0; i < buttons.length; i++) {
				buttons[i].style.display = 'inline';
				Dsq.Utils.deleteNode(Dsq.$(buttons[i].id + '-loading'));
			}
		}
		
	};

	this.postComment = function(post_id, el_clicked, force, auth_choice) {
		var append_id = post_id ? '-' + post_id : '';
		var fields = Dsq.Templates.getFormFields(post_id);

		if (Dsq.Templates.validateFields(post_id)) {

			if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated && !force &&
				((!Dsq.Utils.readCookie('skipped_auth') && !disqus_skip_auth && !Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled) || !Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post)) {
				Dsq.Templates.checkExistingUser(post_id);
				return false;
			}
			var params = [];
			if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated) {
				params.push(fields.name.value,
					fields.email.value,
					fields.website.value);

				if (auth_choice == 'login' || auth_choice == 'register') {
					params.push({
						auth_choice: auth_choice,
						username: fields.username.value,
						password: fields.password.value,
						email: fields.email.value
					});
				} else {
					params.push(null);
				}

				params.push(null /* sharing options */, Dsq.$('dsq-subscribe-on-post' + append_id).value);
			} else {
				var service_checked = function(name) {
					var el = Dsq.$('dsq-sharing-' + name + append_id);
					return (el !== null && el.checked === true) ? '1' : '0';
				};
				params.push(null, null, null, null, {
					tw: service_checked('twitter'),
					fb: service_checked('facebook'),
					tr: service_checked('tumblr'),
					wp: service_checked('wordpress'),
					mt: service_checked('movabletype'),
					tp: service_checked('typepad'),
					yh: service_checked('yahoo')
				});
			}

			var frame = Dsq.frames['reply_' + (post_id ? post_id : 0)];
			frame.post.apply(frame, params);

			if (el_clicked) {
				Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(el_clicked, post_id);
			}
			
			if (force) {
				Dsq.Utils.createCookie('skipped_auth', true);	
			}
			
		} else {
			return false;
		}
	};

	this.editComment = function(el_clicked, post_id) {
		var edited_message = Dsq.$('dsq-edit-textarea-' + post_id).value;

		Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(el_clicked, post_id);
		Dsq.frames['edit_' + post_id].edit(post_id, edited_message);
	};

	this.toggleEdit = function(post_id) {
		var body = Dsq.$('dsq-comment-body-' + post_id);
		var message = Dsq.$('dsq-comment-message-' + post_id);

		if (!Dsq.Post.stateEditToggled[post_id]) {


			message.style.display = 'none';
			if (Dsq.$('dsq-edit-' + post_id)) {
				Dsq.$('dsq-edit-' + post_id).style.display = 'block';
			} else {

				var edit_area = document.createElement('div');
				edit_area.id = 'dsq-edit-' + post_id;
				edit_area.className = 'dsq-edit dsq-textarea';
				edit_area.innerHTML = ' \
				<div class="dsq-textarea-wrapper"> \
					<textarea class="dsq-edit-textarea" id="dsq-edit-textarea-' + post_id + '">' + message.innerHTML + '</textarea> \
				</div> \
				<div class="dsq-save-edit"> \
					<button onclick="Dsq.Templates.editComment(this, ' + post_id + ')" class="dsq-button-small">Save Edit</button> \
				</div> \
				<div id="dsq-edit-iframe-' + post_id + '" style="display: none"></div> \
				';

				body.appendChild(edit_area);

				if (!Dsq.frames['edit_' + post_id]) {
					var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
					Dsq.frames['edit_' + post_id] = new Dsq.ReplyFrame(Dsq.$('dsq-edit-iframe-' + post_id), post_id);
					Dsq.frames['edit_' + post_id].init();
					Dsq.frames['edit_' + post_id].setState(post_id, _meta.depth);
				}
			}
		} else {

			message.style.display = 'block';
			Dsq.$('dsq-edit-' + post_id).style.display = 'none';
		}
		
		Dsq.Post.stateEditToggled[post_id] = !Dsq.Post.stateEditToggled[post_id];
	};
	
	this.edit = function(el, post_id) {

		Dsq.Templates.toggleEdit(post_id);
	};

	this.toggleReply = function(post_id, button) {
		
		if(!this.stateReplyToggled[post_id]) {

			if (Dsq.$('dsq-reply-post-' + post_id)) {
				Dsq.$('dsq-append-post-' + post_id).style.display = 'block';
			} else {
				Dsq.$('dsq-append-post-' + post_id).innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.postBox(post_id);
				var container = Dsq.$('dsq-textarea-wrapper-' + post_id);
				if (!Dsq.frames['reply_' + post_id] && container) {
					var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
					Dsq.frames['reply_' + post_id] = new Dsq.ReplyFrame(container, post_id);
					Dsq.frames['reply_' + post_id].init(function() {

						Dsq.$('dsq-append-post-' + post_id).innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.postBox(post_id, true);
						Dsq.$('dsq-form-area-' + post_id).innerHTML = '';

						var theme = (typeof disqus_frame_theme == 'undefined') ? 'default' : disqus_frame_theme;
						Dsq.Iframes.showReplyIframeInContainer(Dsq.$('dsq-form-area-' + post_id), post_id, {theme: theme});

					});
					Dsq.frames['reply_' + post_id].setState(post_id, _meta.depth);
				}
			}
			Dsq.$('dsq-append-post-' + post_id).className = 'dsq-append-post';
			Dsq.$('dsq-comment-footer-reply-' + post_id).className = 'dsq-comment-footer-reply-active';
			
		} else {

			Dsq.$('dsq-append-post-' + post_id).style.display = 'none';
			Dsq.$('dsq-append-post-' + post_id).className = '';
			Dsq.$('dsq-comment-footer-reply-' + post_id).className = 'dsq-comment-footer-reply';
		}
		
		this.stateReplyToggled[post_id] = !this.stateReplyToggled[post_id];

		if(Dsq.Utils.ie && this.stateReplyToggled[post_id]) {

		}

		Dsq.Events.fire(Dsq.Events.REPLY_IFRAME_TOGGLED, {
			postId: post_id,
			opened: this.stateReplyToggled[post_id]
		});
	};
	
	this.moderateOptions = function(post_id) {
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];
		
		if(!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator && !Dsq.jsonData.request.is_global_moderator) { return false; }

		var html;
		
		html = ' \
		<div class="dsq-moderate-options"> \
		<table>'
		+ (_meta.email ? '<tr><td>Email</td><td>' + _meta.email + '</td></tr>' : '')
		+ (_meta.ip ? '<tr><td>IP address</td><td>' + _meta.ip + '</td></tr>' : '')
		+ '<tr> \
			<td>Actions</td> \
			<td><ul>'
			+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.moderator_can_edit
				? '<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.edit(this, ' + post_id + '); Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true); return false;">Edit Comment</a></li>'
				: '')
			+ '<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.removePost(' + post_id + ', 1); Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true); return false;">Delete Comment</a></li> \
			<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.reportSpam(' + post_id + '); Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true); return false;">Mark Spam</a></li> \
			<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.blacklist(' + post_id + '); return false">Block User</a></li> \
			</ul></td> \
			</table> \
		</div> \
		';
		
		html += '<p>Go to the full <a href="http://disqus.com/comments/moderate/" target="_blank">moderate panel</a> for more options.</p>';
		
		return Dsq.Popup.popModal(html, 'Moderate Options', post_id);
	};
	
	this.placeholder = {
		'class': 'dsq-placeholder',
		'name': Dsq.Strings.NAME,
		'email': Dsq.Strings.EMAIL,
		'website': Dsq.Strings.WEBSITE + ' (' + Dsq.Strings.OPTIONAL.toLowerCase() + ')'
	};
	
	this.handlePlaceholder = function(evt, el, key) {
		var placeholder = Dsq.Templates.placeholder[key];
		var className = Dsq.Templates.placeholder['class'];
		
		switch(evt.type) {
			case 'focus':
				if(el.value == placeholder) {
					el.value = '';
					el.className = '';
				}
				break;

			case 'blur':
				if(el.value == '') {
					el.value = placeholder;
					el.className = className;
				}
				break;
			default:
				break;
		}
	};
	
	this.paginate = function(page, el_clicked) {

		var extra_params = '';

		if(typeof disqus_per_page != 'undefined') {
			extra_params += '&per_page=' + disqus_per_page;
		}
		if(typeof disqus_sort != 'undefined') {
			extra_params += '&sort=' + disqus_sort;
		}

		Dsq.$('dsq-pagination').innerHTML += '<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading-small.gif">';
		
		if(el_clicked) {
			Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(el_clicked);
		}
		
		Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/gomediazine/thread.js'
			+ '?slug='	+ 'degree_or_no_degree'
			+ '&p='		+ page
			+ extra_params);
	};
	
	
	this.rate = function(el, id, vote) {


		if(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated || Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_votes) {
			if(vote == 1) {
				Dsq.$('dsq-like-' + id).innerHTML = '<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading-small.gif">';
			}
			Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/gomediazine/vote.js'
				+ '?post_id='    + id
				+ '&vote='        + vote);
		} else {
			Dsq.Popup.login('To rate, please log in');
		}
	};

	this.voted = function(post_id, points, vote) {

		Dsq.$('dsq-like-pts-' + post_id).innerHTML = points + Dsq.Utils.pluralize(points, ' person', ' people') + ' liked this.';

		if(vote) {
			Dsq.$('dsq-like-' + post_id).innerHTML = 'You liked this.&nbsp;&nbsp;';
		}
	};




	this.postComment_onSuccess = function(response, parent_post_id, post_id) {
		var approved = response.message.post_meta.approved;

		if (parent_post_id) {
			Dsq.Post.toggleReply(parent_post_id);
		}

		Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true);
		
		if (approved) {
			Dsq.Post.incrementPostCount();
			Dsq.Post.outlineComment(post_id);
		} else {			
			var unapproved_msg = 'Thanks for posting!\
	 Your comment must be approved by a moderator before appearing here.\
			';
			Dsq.Popup.popModal(unapproved_msg, 'Comment awaiting approval', post_id);
		}

		var sharing_results = response.message.sharing_results;
		var sharing_errors = '';
		for (var service in sharing_results) {
			if (sharing_results.hasOwnProperty(service) === true) {
				if (sharing_results[service].error === true) {
					sharing_errors += service + ', ';
				}
			}
		}

		if (sharing_results.facebook && sharing_results.facebook.callback) {
			FB.ensureInit(function() {
				FB.Connect.streamPublish('', sharing_results.facebook.attachment);
			});
		}

		if (sharing_errors !== '') {
			var message = 'Your comment was posted, but there were errors sharing with the following connections: ';
			message += sharing_errors.replace(/,\s$/, '');
			message += '<p><a href="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/profile/connections" target="_blank">Configure your connections here</a></p>'
			Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, 'Sharing options');
		}

		Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(false);
	};

	this.postComment_onFailure = function(response, parent_post_id, post_id) {

		Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(false);
	};
};




// TODO: It might be faster to use string methods to find all <li (...) </li> blocks and pass to Dsq.PostHandler manually.
Dsq.CommentsHandler = function(str, head, post_id, content, tail, offset, s) {
	var prepend_post = Dsq.Templates.prependPost(post_id);
	var append_post = Dsq.Templates.appendPost(post_id);

	content = content.replace(Dsq.POST_RE, Dsq.PostHandler);
	Dsq.Templates.postLoopCounter++;
	head = Dsq.Templates.Filters.commentContainer(post_id, head);
	return prepend_post + head + content + tail + append_post;
};

Dsq.PostHandler = function(str, h_head, post_id, h_content, h_tail, b_head, b_content, b_tail, offset, s) {
	var prepend_header = Dsq.Templates.postPrependHeader(post_id);
	var append_header = Dsq.Templates.postAppendHeader(post_id);
	var prepend_body = Dsq.Templates.preBody(post_id);
	var append_body = Dsq.Templates.postBody(post_id);
	var append_footer = Dsq.Templates.postFooter(post_id);

	b_content = b_content.replace(Dsq.POST_BODY_RE, Dsq.PostBodyHandler);
	return h_head + prepend_header + h_content + append_header + h_tail + b_head + prepend_body + b_content + append_body + b_tail + append_footer;
};

Dsq.PostBodyHandler = function(str, head, post_id, content, tail, offset, s) {
	content = Dsq.Templates.Filters.commentContent(post_id, content);
	return head + content + tail;
};

Dsq.MediaPostHandler = function(str, args, offset, s) {
	args = args.split(' ');
	if(args[0] == 'seesmic') {
		return '<br />' + Dsq.Templates.mediaSeesmic(args[1], args[2]);
	}
	return '';
};


/**
 * Shorcuts
 */
Dsq.$ = function(element) { return document.getElementById(element); };
Dsq.$b = document.body || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0];


/**
 * Dsq.Debug: Logging functions.
 */

Dsq.Debug = new function() {this.log=function(s){};this.profile=function(f){if(typeof f == 'function')return f();else return eval(f);};};


/**
 * Dsq.Urls: URL paths
 */
Dsq.Urls = new function() {
	this.LOGIN = '/profile/login/';
	this.LOGOUT = '/logout/';
	this.REPLY = 'http://gomediazine.disqus.com/degree_or_no_degree/reply.html';
	this.REQUEST_USER_PROFILE = '/AnonymousUser/';
	this.REQUEST_USER_AVATAR = 'http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png';
};
// Dsq.Urls

/**
 * Dsq.Validators: Validation for form fields
 */
Dsq.Validators = new function() {
	this.VALID_EMAIL_RE = /^[a-z0-9\-\_\+]+(\.[a-z0-9\-\_\+]+)*\@(([a-z0-9\-\_\+]+(\.[a-z0-9\-\_\+]+)*)+\.[a-z]{2,}|([0-9]+\.){3}[0-9]+)$/i;
	this.name = function(name) {
		var error = false;

		if(typeof Dsq.Templates.placeholder !== 'undefined' &&
		   name == Dsq.Templates.placeholder.name) {
			error = true;
		}
		if(name.length <= 1) {
			error = true;
		}

		if(error) {
			return "Please enter a name to comment.";
		} else {
			return true;
		}
	};
	this.email = function(addr) {
		if(Dsq.Validators.VALID_EMAIL_RE.test(addr)) {
			return true;
		} else {
			return "Please enter a valid email to comment.";
		}
	};
	this.url = function(addr) {
		if(!addr || addr.indexOf('.') != -1) {
			return true;
		} else {
			return "Please check your website URL (this field is optional).";
		}
	};

	this.validate = function(bulk_validation, failure_callback) {
		failure_callback = failure_callback || function(e){ alert(e); };

		for(var i = 0; i < bulk_validation.length; i++) {
			v = bulk_validation[i];
			ret = v.validator(v.value);
			if(ret !== true) {
				failure_callback(ret);
				return false;
			}
		}
		return true;
	};
};

/**
 * Dsq.Utils: Generic utility functions.
 */
Dsq.Utils = new function() {
	this.ie = /msie/i.test(navigator.userAgent) && !/opera/i.test(navigator.userAgent);
	this.ie7 = (document.all && !window.opera && window.XMLHttpRequest) ? true : false;
	this.ie6 = (!window.XMLHttpRequest) ? true: false;
	this.webkit = navigator.userAgent.indexOf('AppleWebKit/') >= 0;
	this.gebiFromElementCollectionCache = {};
	this._styleSheet = null;

	this.gebiFromElement = function(el, id, tag) {
		// This only method only helps IE.
		if(!this.ie) {
			return Dsq.$(id);
		} else {
			var cacheKey = el.id + '-' + tag;
			tag = tag || 'div';
			if(typeof this.gebiFromElementCollectionCache[cacheKey] != 'undefined') {
				collection = this.gebiFromElementCollectionCache[cacheKey];
			} else {
				collection = el.getElementsByTagName(tag);
				this.gebiFromElementCollectionCache[cacheKey] = collection;
			}

			for(var i = 0; i < collection.length; i++) {
				if(collection[i].id == id) {
					return collection[i];
				}
			}
			return null;
		}
	};

	this.execOnReady = function(func) {
		var node = document.createElement('document:ready');
		try {
			node.doScroll('left');
			func();
			node = null;
		} catch(err) {
			setTimeout(function() { Dsq.Utils.execOnReady(func); }, 10);
		}
	};


	// Courtesy of http://www.quirksmode.org/js/cookies.html
	this.createCookie = function(name,value,days) {
		if (days) {
			var date = new Date();
			date.setTime(date.getTime()+(days*24*60*60*1000));
			var expires = "; expires="+date.toGMTString();
		}
		else var expires = "";
		document.cookie = name+"="+value+expires+"; path=/";
	};

	this.readCookie = function(name) {
		var nameEQ = name + "=";
		var ca = document.cookie.split(';');
		for(var i=0;i < ca.length;i++) {
			var c = ca[i];
			while (c.charAt(0)==' ') c = c.substring(1,c.length);
			if (c.indexOf(nameEQ) == 0) return c.substring(nameEQ.length,c.length);
		}
		return null;
	};

	this.eraseCookie = function(name) {
		Dsq.Utils.createCookie(name,"",-1);
	};

	this.deleteNode = function(node) {
		if(node) {
			this.deleteChildren(node);
			if(typeof node.outerHTML != 'undefined') { node.outerHTML = ''; }
			else if(node.parentNode) { node.parentNode.removeChild(node); }
			delete node;
		}
	};

	this.deleteChildren = function(node) {
		if(node) {
			for(var x = node.childNodes.length-1; x >= 0; x--) {
				var childNode = node.childNodes[x];
				if(childNode.hasChildNodes()) { this.deleteChildren(childNode); }
				if(typeof childNode.outerHTML != 'undefined') { childNode.outerHTML = ''; }
				else node.removeChild(childNode);
				delete childNode;
			}
		}
	};

	this.findPos = function(obj) {
		var curleft = 0;
		var curtop = 0;
		if (obj.offsetParent) {
			do {
				curleft += obj.offsetLeft;
				curtop += obj.offsetTop;
			} while (obj = obj.offsetParent);
		}
		return [curleft,curtop];
	};

	this.getWindowSize = function() {
		var windowWidth = -1;
		var windowHeight = -1;

		if(typeof(window.innerWidth) == 'number') { //Non-IE
			windowWidth = window.innerWidth;
			windowHeight = window.innerHeight;
		} else if(document.documentElement) { // IE 6+ in 'standards compliant mode'
			windowWidth = document.documentElement.clientWidth || document.body.clientWidth;
			windowHeight = document.documentElement.clientHeight || document.body.clientHeight;
		}

		return [windowWidth, windowHeight];
	}

	this.getScrollPos = function() {
		var scrollWidth, scrollTop;

		if(document.documentElement && (document.documentElement.scrollTop || document.documentElement.scrollWidth)) {
			scrollWidth = document.documentElement.scrollWidth;
			// IE is weird here.  If no doctype is provided, document.body.scrollTop is 0,
			// otherwise document.documentElement.scrollTop is 0.
			scrollTop = document.documentElement.scrollTop || document.body.scrollTop;
		} else if(document.body.scrollTop && document.body.scrollWidth) {
			scrollWidth = document.body.scrollWidth;
			scrollTop = document.body.scrollTop;
		}

		return [scrollWidth, scrollTop];
	}

	this.addEventListener = function(instance, eventName, listener) {
		var listenerFn = listener;
		if (instance.addEventListener) {
			instance.addEventListener(eventName, listenerFn, false);
		} else if (instance.attachEvent) {
			listenerFn = function() {
				listener(window.event);
			};
			instance.attachEvent("on" + eventName, listenerFn);
		} else {
			throw new Error("Event registration not supported");
		}
		return {
			instance: instance,
			name: eventName,
			listener: listenerFn
		};
	};

	this.removeEventListener = function(event) {
		var instance = event.instance;
		if (instance.removeEventListener) {
			instance.removeEventListener(event.name, event.listener, false);
		} else if (instance.detachEvent) {
			instance.detachEvent("on" + event.name, event.listener);
		}
	};

	this.fixIframesIE = function(id) {
		var disqusThread = Dsq.$(disqus_container_id);
		var iframes = disqusThread.getElementsByTagName('iframe');

		if(id) {
			var container = Dsq.$(id);
		} else {
			var container = Dsq.$('dsq-content');
		}

		for(i = 0; i < iframes.length; i++) {
			if (container) {
				iframes[i].style.width = container.offsetWidth;
			}
		}
	};

	this.getElementsByClassName = function(oElm, strTagName, strClassName) {
	/* Credit: Jonathan Snook [http://www.snook.ca/jonathan], Robert Nyman [http://www.robertnyman.com] */
		var arrElements = (strTagName == "*" && oElm.all)? oElm.all : oElm.getElementsByTagName(strTagName);
		var arrReturnElements = new Array();
		strClassName = strClassName.replace(/\-/g, "\\-");
		var oRegExp = new RegExp("(^|\\s)" + strClassName + "(\\s|$)");
		var oElement;
		for(var i = 0; i < arrElements.length; i++) {
			oElement = arrElements[i];
			if(oRegExp.test(oElement.className)) {
				arrReturnElements.push(oElement);
			}
		}
		return (arrReturnElements);
	};

	this.postToUrl = function(url, post_data, opt_redirect) {
		var form = document.createElement('form');
		var iframe_container = document.createElement('div');
		var id = 'dsq-temp-iframe-' + (new Date()).getTime();

		form.method = 'POST';
		form.action = url;
		if (!opt_redirect) {
			form.target = id;
		}
		iframe_container.innerHTML = '<iframe style="display:none" name="' + id + '" id="' + id + '"></iframe>';

		for(var key in post_data) {
			if(post_data.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
				var input = document.createElement('input');
				input.name = key;
				input.type = 'hidden';
				input.value = post_data[key];

				form.appendChild(input);
			}
		}

		Dsq.$b.appendChild(iframe_container);
		Dsq.$b.appendChild(form);
		form.submit();
	};

	// Strips integer id from id of element in the form ('some-id-###')
	this.extractId = function(e) {
		var chunks = e.id.split('-');
		if(chunks.length <= 1) {
			return 0;
		} else {
			return parseInt(chunks[chunks.length-1]);
		}
	};

	this.getStyle = function(el, styleProp) {
		if(el.currentStyle) {
			var y = el.currentStyle[styleProp];
		} else if(window.getComputedStyle) {
			var y = document.defaultView.getComputedStyle(el, null).getPropertyValue(styleProp);
		}

		if(y == 'transparent' || y == '') {
			this.getStyle(el.parentNode, styleProp);
		} else {
			return y;
		}
	};

	this.execScript = function(url, append_qs, container) {
		var script = document.createElement('script');
		append_qs = typeof append_qs == 'undefined' ? true : append_qs;
		container = container || Dsq.container;

		if(append_qs) {
			var j = (url.indexOf('?') >= 0) ? '&' : '?';
			url += j + (new Date()).getTime();
		}
		script.type = 'text/javascript';
		script.charset = 'UTF-8';
		script.src = url;
		container.appendChild(script);
		return script;
	};

	this.pluralize = function(num, singular, plural) {
		return (num != 1) ? plural || 's' : singular || '';
	};

	this.getRequestParams = function(queryString /* optional */) {
		var pairs, tuple;
		var params = {};

		queryString = queryString || window.location.search.substring(1);
		pairs = queryString.split('&');

		for (var i = 0, pair; pair = pairs[i]; i++) {
			tuple = pair.split('=');
			params[tuple[0]] = (tuple[1] || true);
		}

		return params;
	};

	this.addCssRule = function(selector, styleText, index) {
		var stylesheet;
		index = index || 0;

		if(!this._styleSheet) {
			var styleEl = document.createElement('style');
			document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(styleEl);
			this._styleSheet = styleEl.sheet;
			if(!this._styleSheet) {
				// IE does not like our newly created stylesheet.
				this._styleSheet = document.styleSheets[document.styleSheets.length-1];
			}
		}
		stylesheet = this._styleSheet;

		if(stylesheet.insertRule) {
			var ruleText = selector + ' { ' + styleText + ' }';
			if(index == -1) {
				index = stylesheet.cssRules.length;
			}
			stylesheet.insertRule(ruleText, index);
		} else if(stylesheet.addRule) {
			stylesheet.addRule(selector, styleText, index);
		}
	};

	this.forEachIn = function(obj, callback) {
		for(var key in obj) {
			if(obj.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
				callback(key, obj[key]);
			}
		}
	};

	this._interpolateGlobalContext = {
		// values that get used a lot and are global to the request
		'profile_url': Dsq.Urls.REQUEST_USER_PROFILE,

		'disqus_url': Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url,
		'media_url': Dsq.jsonData.settings.media_url,
		'request_username': Dsq.jsonData.request.username,
		'request_display_username': Dsq.jsonData.request.display_username,
		'forum_name': Dsq.jsonData.forum.name
	};

	this.renderFromContextStack = function(key, contexts) {
		// Returns the first instance of `key` in the array of objects `contexts` or else ''
		for (var i=0; i<contexts.length; i++) {
			if (contexts[i][key] !== undefined) {
				return String(contexts[i][key]);
			}
		}
		throw new Error('key ' + key + ' not found in context');
	};

	var that = this;
	this.interpolate = function(fmt, opt_localContext) {
		// Interpolate `fmt` named-format string with an assumed global context.
		// Based on `interpolate` in django.views.i18n
		var contextStack = [opt_localContext || {}, that._interpolateGlobalContext];
		return fmt.replace(/%\(\w+\)s/g, function(match){
			return that.renderFromContextStack(match.slice(2,-2), contextStack);
		});
	};

	this.stripTags = function(s) {
		// Removes HTML tags from `s`
		return s.replace(/(<([^>]+)>)/g,"");

	};

	this.assert = function(b) {
		if (!b) {
			throw new Error('Assertion error.');
		}
	};

};
// Dsq.Utils

/**
 * Dsq.Popup: Popup helper functions.
 */
Dsq.Popup = new function() {
	this.timeHide = new Array();
	this.timeShow = new Array();
	this.activePopup = {};
	this.profileCache = {};
	this.statusCache = {};

	this.showTimer = function(post_id) {
		// clear the hide timer
		clearTimeout(this.timeHide[post_id]);

		// start the timer
		if(!Dsq.Popup.profileIsOn && !Dsq.Thread.adminIsOn) {
			this.timeShow[post_id] = setTimeout("Dsq.Popup.popProfile(\"" + post_id + "\")", 400);
		}
	};

	this.hideTimer = function(post_id) {
		// clear the show timer
		clearTimeout(this.timeShow[post_id]);
	};

	this.updateProfile = function(username) {
		// Callback from /embed/profile.js
		if (this.statusCache[username]) {
			var statusEl = Dsq.$('dsq-profile-status-' + username);
			statusEl.innerHTML = this.statusCache[username];
			statusEl.style.display = 'block';
		}

		if (this.profileCache[username]) {
			var _cache = this.profileCache[username];

			var _genhtml = function(text) { return '<span><big>' + text + '</big></span>'; };
			var _no_comments = _genhtml(Dsq.FmtStrings.NUMBER_OF_COMMENTS(_cache.comments_count));
			var _no_likes = _genhtml(Dsq.FmtStrings.NUMBER_OF_LIKES(_cache.likes_count));
			var _no_points = _genhtml(Dsq.FmtStrings.NUMBER_OF_POINTS(_cache.points));

			var statsEl = Dsq.$('dsq-popup-profile-user-stats-' + username);
			statsEl.innerHTML = '';

			if (Dsq.jsonData.users[username].registered) {
				statsEl.innerHTML = _no_comments + _no_likes;
			}
			statsEl.innerHTML += _no_points;

			var activeSites = '';
			for (var i = 0; i < _cache.active_sites.length; i++) {
				var site = _cache.active_sites[i];
				activeSites += '<li><a href="' + site.url + '"> \
					<img src="' + site.favicon + '"/ width="16" height="16"/></a>\
					<a href="' + site.url + '">' + site.name + '</a></li>';
			}
			if (activeSites !== '') {
				Dsq.$('dsq-popup-profile-active-sites-' + username).innerHTML = activeSites;
			} else {
				Dsq.$('dsq-popup-profile-active-sites-' + username).innerHTML = 'This site.';
			}

			var moderatedSites = '';
			for (var i = 0; i < _cache.moderated_sites.length; i++) {
				var site = _cache.moderated_sites[i];
				moderatedSites += '<li><a href="' + site.url + '"> \
					<img src="' + site.favicon + '"/ width="16" height="16"/></a>\
					<a href="' + site.url + '">' + site.name + '</a></li>';
			}
			if (moderatedSites !== '') {
				Dsq.$('dsq-popup-profile-moderated-' + username).innerHTML = moderatedSites;
			} else {
				Dsq.$('dsq-popup-profile-moderated-wrapper-' + username).innerHTML = '';
			}
		}

		// Reposition popup after full HTML is rendered
		if(Dsq.Popup.activePopup && Dsq.Popup.activePopup.el) {
			Dsq.Popup.initPopup(Dsq.Popup.activePopup.el, Dsq.Popup.activePopup.id, Dsq.Popup.activePopup.type);
		}

	};

	this.showCookieMsgs = function() {
		var title = '';
		var message = '';
		var numAlerts = 0;

		Dsq.Utils.forEachIn(Dsq.jsonData.cookie_messages, function(k, v) {
			if (!v) return;

			switch(k) {
				// Cookie: Twitter
				case 'post_twitter':
					if (v === 'error') {
						title = 'Twitter Error!';
						message += '<li id="dsq-msg-twitter-error">Oops, we couldn\'t tweet this comment. Please check your <a href="http://disqus.com/account/services">account settings</a>.</li>';
					} else {
						var _msg = v.split(':');
						title = 'Tweeted!';
						message += '<li id="dsq-msg-twitter-success">Your comment was successfully tweeted. <a href="http://twitter.com/' + _msg[0] + '/status/' + _msg[1] + '">Click here to view the tweet</a>.</li>';
					}
					break;
				// Cookie: Unapproved Post
				case 'post_not_approved':
					title = 'Comment awaiting approval by a moderator';
					message += '<li id="dsq-msg-post-not-approved">Your comment must be approved by a moderator before appearing here.</li>';
					break;
				// Cookie: Profile Found
				case 'post_has_profile':
					title = 'Use your existing commenter profile';
					message += '<li id="dsq-msg-post-has-profile">You have just posted your commment as a <span class="dsq-badge-guest">Guest</span>, but you may already have a <span class="logo-disqus">Disqus</span> Profile.<br /><br /><a href="http://disqus.com/claim">Log in and claim this comment!</a></li>';
					break;
				case 'user_created':
					var _data = v.split(':');
					title = 'Profile created!';
					message += '<li id="dsq-msg-user-created">You have just created a <span class="logo-disqus">Disqus</span> Profile, the best way to claim, manage, and track your comments all over the web. \
					<br /><br />A confirmation is being sent to <strong>' + _data[1] + '</strong>. Please check for this email in order to verify your profile. \
					<ul class="dsq-list-tick"> \
						<li>Your username is <strong>' + _data[0] +'</strong>. <a href="http://disqus.com/people/' + _data[0] + '/" target="_blank">Click here to view your public profile</a>.</li> \
						<li>Be sure to set your profile picture, as well as connect your <span class="dsq-badge-facebook">Facebook</span> and <span class="dsq-badge-twitter">Twitter</span> accounts. <a href="http://disqus.com/account/" target="_blank">Click here for account settings</a>.</li> \
					</ul> \
					</li>'
					break;
				default:
					break;
			}
			numAlerts++;
		});

		if(numAlerts > 1) {
			message = '<ul class="dsq-list-bluebullet">' + message;
			message += '</ul>';
			title = 'Thanks for posting!';
		}
		if(numAlerts > 0) {
			if(typeof(disqus_cookie_msgs) == 'function') {
				disqus_cookie_msgs(message, title);
			} else {
				Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, title);
			}
		}
	};

	this.helpBadges = function(post_id) {
		var html = ' \
			<ul class="dsq-popup-help"> \
				<li><span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-verified">Verified</span> has a <span class="logo-disqus">Disqus</span> Profile with a confirmed email address.</li> \
				<li><span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-registered">Registered</span> has a <span class="logo-disqus">Disqus</span> Profile, but has not yet confirmed his or her email address.</li> \
				<li><span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-guest">Guest</span> is not logged in with any account and has not claimed his or her comments.</li> \
				<li class="dsq-help-otheraccts">Other accounts</li> \
				<li><span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-facebook">Facebook</span> is using his or her Facebook profile via Facebook Connect.</li> \
				<li><span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-twitter">Twitter</span> is using his or her Twitter profile via Twitter Sign-in.</li> \
				<li><span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-openid">OpenID</span> is using his or her OpenID.</li> \
			</ul> \
		';

		this.popModal(html, 'Help: Types of Commenters', post_id);
		return;
	};

	this.permalink = function(post_id) {
		var header = 'Link to this comment';
		var body = '<strong>You are anchored to</strong>:<br />' + document.location.protocol + '//' + document.location.host + document.location.pathname + document.location.search + '#comment-' + post_id;

		this.popModal(body, header, post_id);
	};

	this.login = function(header, body) {
		var h = header || 'Login or Register';
		var b = body || '';
		b += Dsq.Templates.frameLogin({id: 'dsq-popup-login'});
		b += '</iframe>'; // HACK: Sometimes there is something funky with the IFRAME SRC that causes no end tag
		this.popModal(b, h, null, true, 'dsq-popup-login');
	};

	this.blacklist = function(id) {
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[id];
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];
		var title = 'Add to Blacklist';
		var message = ' \
		Adding this person to the blacklist will block him or her from commenting on this site. Check the following types that you would like to add to the blacklist:'
		+ (userData['registered'] ?
			'<div class="dsq-blacklist-option"> \
				<input id="dsq-blacklist-username" type="checkbox" checked> \
				<label for="dsq-blacklist-username"><strong>Username</strong>: ' + userData['username'] + '</label> \
			</div>'
			: '')
		+ (_meta.email ?
			'<div class="dsq-blacklist-option"> \
				<input id="dsq-blacklist-email" type="checkbox" checked> \
				<label for="dsq-blacklist-email"><strong>Email address</strong>: ' + _meta.email + '</label> \
			</div>'
			: '')
		+ '<div class="dsq-blacklist-option"> \
			<input id="dsq-blacklist-ip" type="checkbox" onclick="Dsq.$(\'dsq-blacklist-ip-warning\').style.display=\'block\'"> \
			<label for="dsq-blacklist-ip"><strong>IP address</strong>: ' + _meta.ip + '</label> \
		</div> \
		';

		message += ' \
			<p id="dsq-blacklist-ip-warning" style="display:none">	\
				Note: Blocking this person\'s IP address may also unintentionally prevent others, who share his/her IP address, from commenting on this site. \
				This may include people who are sharing the same computer, living in the same house, or using the same Internet provider. Only block an IP address as a last resort. \
			</p> \
		';

		message += ' \
			<p style="text-align:center"><button onclick="Dsq.Post.blockUser(' + id + '); this.disabled=true; this.innerHTML=\'Just one moment...\'">Add to Blacklist</button></p> \
		';

		Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, title);
	};

	this.remoteAccountSettings = function() {
		var body = '';
		// Set up IFrame.
		var params = {};
		var base_url = 'http://disqus.com/forums/gomediazine/_auth/embed/remote_settings/';
		var attributes = {id: 'dsq-popup-account-settings'};
		if (typeof disqus_frame_theme != 'undefined') {
			params['theme'] = disqus_frame_theme;
		}

		body = Dsq.Templates._frameGeneric(base_url, params, attributes);
		this.popModal(body, 'Account Settings', null, true, 'dsq-popup-account-settings');
	};

	this.popModal = function(message, title, post_id, use_listener, extra_classes) {
		var container = document.createElement('div');
		var header, body;

		Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true);

		if(typeof(title) == 'undefined') { title = ''; }
		if(typeof(use_listener) == 'undefined') { use_listener = true; }

		if(post_id) {
			container.id = 'dsq-popup-message-' + post_id;
		} else {
			container.id = 'dsq-popup-message';
		}

		header = title;
		body = message;

		container.innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.popupModal(header, body);
		Dsq.Popup.initPopup(container, post_id, 'message', extra_classes);
		if(use_listener) {
			Dsq.Popup.popupListener = Dsq.Utils.addEventListener(document, 'mouseup', Dsq.Popup._closePopup);
		}
	};

	this.popAlert = this.popModal;

	this.loading = function(post_id) {
		var title = Dsq.Strings.JUST_A_MOMENT;
		var body = '<div style="text-align:center; padding: 5px 0 10px 0"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading.gif" alt="" /></div>'
		Dsq.Popup.lightbox(body, title, post_id);
	};

	this.lightbox = function(message, title, post_id) {
		// Wraps Dsq.Popup.popModal

		var overlay = document.createElement('div');
		overlay.id = 'dsq-overlay';
		overlay.className = 'dsq-overlay';
		Dsq.$b.appendChild(overlay);
		
		Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, title, post_id, false, 'dsq-lightbox');
	};

	this.popProfile = function(post_id, userKey) {
		var post = Dsq.jsonData['posts'][post_id];
		if (post && post.has_been_anonymized) {
			Dsq.Popup.popModal('This message was anonymized by its previous owner.', 'Anonymized', post_id);
			return;
		}

		if(post_id) {
			userKey = Dsq.jsonData['posts'][post_id].user_key;	
		}
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][userKey];
		var elId = 'dsq-popup-profile-' + userKey;
		var container = document.createElement('div');

		if(this.activePopup.el) {
			this._closePopup(null, true);
			if(this.activePopup.linkClicked) {
				this.activePopup.linkClicked = false;
				return;
			}
		}

		container.id = elId;
		container.innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.popupProfile(userKey);

		this.initPopup(container, post_id, 'profile');
		this.popupListener = Dsq.Utils.addEventListener(document, 'mouseup', this._closePopup);

		if(!this.profileCache[userKey]) {
			Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/embed/profile.js'
				+ '?username=' + userKey
				+ '&anon=' + (userData['registered'] ? 0 : 1)
				+ '&f=' + Dsq.jsonData['request'].forum);
		} else {
			this.updateProfile(userKey);
		}
	};

	this._closePopup = function(e, force) {
		var activePopup = Dsq.Popup.activePopup.el;
		var id = Dsq.Popup.activePopup.id;
		var link = 'dsq-avatar-' + id; // HACK: Specific to profile toggle target

		// HACK: This event should be gone if there is no active popup.
		if(!activePopup) {
			return;
		}
		if(force || !Dsq.Popup.isClicked(e, activePopup.id)) {
			// TODO: This is breaking iE?
			if(Dsq.Popup.popupListener) {
				Dsq.Utils.removeEventListener(Dsq.Popup.popupListener);
			}
			
			// Kill overlay
			var overlay = Dsq.$('dsq-overlay');
			if(overlay) { Dsq.Utils.deleteNode(overlay); }
			
			try {
				Dsq.Utils.deleteNode(activePopup);
			} catch(e) {
				// HACK: IE6 throws an error when using deleteNode() with a node containing a <table> in the html.
				activePopup.parentNode.removeChild(activePopup);
			}
			Dsq.Popup.activePopup = {};
		}

		if(!force && Dsq.Popup.isClicked(e, link)) {
 			Dsq.Popup.activePopup.linkClicked = true;
		}

	};

	this.initPopup = function(popup, post_id, type, extra_classes) {
		popup.className = 'dsq-popup dsq-popup-' + type + ' ' + (extra_classes ? extra_classes : '');
		if(Dsq.Utils.ie6 || Dsq.Utils.ie7) {
			// HACK: We can't modify the body before it's ready, so we need
			//       to use an IE-safe "DOMReady" workaround before loading
			//       our popup.
			Dsq.Utils.execOnReady(function() {Dsq.$b.appendChild(popup); });
		} else {
			Dsq.$b.appendChild(popup);
		}

		popup.style.display = 'block';

		var xPos = (Dsq.Utils.getWindowSize()[0] - popup.offsetWidth) / 2;
		var yPos = (Dsq.Utils.getWindowSize()[1] - popup.offsetHeight) / 2;

		if(Dsq.Utils.ie6) {
			yPos += Dsq.Utils.getScrollPos()[1];
		}

		popup.style.left = xPos + 'px';
		popup.style.top = yPos + 'px';

		Dsq.Popup.activePopup = {
			'el' : popup,
			'id' : post_id,
			'type': type,
			'linkClicked' : false
		};
	};

	this.isClicked = function(e, id) {
		var t = e.target || e.srcElement;
		while(t && t.parentNode) {
			if(t.id == id) {
				return true;
			}

			t = t.parentNode;
		}
		return false;
	};
};
// Dsq.Popup

/**
 * Dsq.Templates
 */
Dsq.Templates = new function() {
	/*
	 * Counter keeping track of the number of posts iterated over.
	 */
	this.postLoopCounter = 0;
	this.filters = {};
	this.addPostContainer = 'dsq-post-add';
	this.textareaContainer = 'dsq-post-add';

	this.registerTemplate = function(name, func) {
		this['$$_' + name] = func;

		if(typeof DsqLocal.Filters != 'undefined'
		&& typeof DsqLocal.Filters[name] == 'function') {
			// Push filters to this.filters to unify code.
			this.filters[name] = this.filters[name] || [];
			this.filters[name].push(DsqLocal.Filters[name]);
		}

		this[name] = function() {
			var ret;

			if(typeof DsqLocal.Templates != 'undefined'
			&& typeof DsqLocal.Templates[name] == 'function') {
				ret = DsqLocal.Templates[name].apply(this, arguments);
			}

			if(ret === undefined) {
				ret = this['$$_' + name].apply(this, arguments);
			}

			if(this.filters[name]) {
				var args = [ret];

				args.push.apply(args, arguments);
				for(var i = 0; i < this.filters[name].length; i++) {
					ret = this.filters[name][i].apply(this, args);
				}
			}

			return ret;
		};
	};

	this.registerFilter = function(name, func) {
		this.filters[name] = this.filters[name] || [];
		this.filters[name].push(func);
	};

	/**
	 * Dsq.Templates.Filters
	 */
	this.Filters = new function() {
		this.commentContainer = function(post_id, s) {
			var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
			var classes = [];
			if(Dsq.jsonData.request.page > 1) {
				classes.push('dsq-append');
			}

			//
			// Extra classes used for custom themes
			//

			if(_meta.depth) {
				classes.push('dsq-comment-child', 'dsq-depth-' + _meta.depth, 'dsq-parent-is-' + _meta.parent_post_id);
			}


			//

			if(_meta.author_is_creator) {
				// TODO: We need to deprecate the "special" class since it is not properly prefixed.
				classes.push('special', 'dsq-special');
			}
			if(_meta.author_is_moderator) {
				classes.push('dsq-moderator');
			}
			classes.push(['dsq-odd', 'dsq-even'][Dsq.Templates.postLoopCounter % 2]);

			s = s.substring(0, s.lastIndexOf('>'));
			return s + ' class="dsq-comment ' + classes.join(' ') + '" style="margin-left:' + _meta.depth*30 + 'px">';
		};

		this.commentContent = function(post_id, s) {
			var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
			if (_meta.killed) {
				return '<em>Comment removed.</em>';
			} else if (!_meta.approved) {
				return '<em>This comment was flagged for review.</em>';
			}

			s = s.replace(Dsq.MEDIA_POST_RE, Dsq.MediaPostHandler);
			return s;
		};
	};

	//
	// Thread
	//
	// TODO: These need to be stripped of all Django template tags.

	this.authPost = function() {
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.context.show_reply) {
			return '';
		}
		var result = [];
		result = result.concat([
				'<div id="dsq-auth"',
						Dsq.jsonData.integration.reply_position ? 'class="dsq-auth-bottom"' : '',
						'>',
					'<div class="dsq-by">',
						'<a href="http://disqus.com" target="_blank">',
							(Dsq.jsonData.integration.disqus_logo ?
								Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<img src="%(media_url)s/images/embed/by-disqus.png" alt="discussion by DISQUS">') :
								Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<img src="%(media_url)s/images/embed/dsq-button-120x19.png" alt="discussion by DISQUS">')
							),
						'</a>',
					'</div>',
					'<div class="dsq-auth-header">',
						'<h3 id="dsq-add-new-comment" class="dsq-h3-addcomment">',
								Dsq.Strings.ADD_NEW_COMMENT,
						'</h3>',
						'<div id="dsq-login">',
						(!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated && Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post
								? '<p class="dsq-login-message" id="dsq-login-message">You are commenting as a <a class="dsq-help" title="Click for more information" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges(); return false">Guest</a>. You may select one to log into:</p>'
								: '')
		]);
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated) {
			result = result.concat([
							Dsq.Utils.interpolate(
								'<a id="dsq-login-toggle" href="%(disqus_url)s%(login_url)s?next=article:%(thread_id)s" onclick="Dsq.Popup.login(); return false"><img class="dsq-login-icon" src="%(media_url)s/images/dsq-profile-btn.png" title="%(log_into)s" alt="%(log_into)s"/></a>',
								{login_url: Dsq.Urls.LOGIN, thread_id: Dsq.jsonData.thread.id, log_into: Dsq.Strings.LOG_INTO_DISQUS}
								),
							'&nbsp; ',
							(Dsq.jsonData.context.use_fb_connect ?
								'<div id="dsq-fbc-login" onlogin="DisqusFbcParentController.onLogin()" size="medium" background="light" length="short" style="display:inline; margin-right:7px"></div>' :
								''
							),
							(Dsq.jsonData.context.use_twitter_signin ?
								Dsq.Utils.interpolate(
									'<div id="dsq-twitter-login" class="dsq-twitter-login" onclick="Dsq.Twitter.startTwitterConnect();" style="display:inline; cursor: pointer"><img src="%(media_url)s/images/twitter-signin-short.png" style="margin-right:7px" /></div>', {}) : ''),
							(Dsq.jsonData.context.use_openid ?
								Dsq.Utils.interpolate(
									'<div id="dsq-openid-login" class="dsq-openid-login" onclick="Dsq.OpenID.requestURL();" style="display:inline; cursor:pointer;"><img src="%(media_url)s/images/openid-login-button.png"/></div>', {}
								) : '')
			]);
		}
		result = result.concat([
						'</div>', // dsq-login
					'</div>', // dsq-auth-header
					'<div id="dsq-authenticated" class="dsq-authenticated" ',
						Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated ? 'style="display:block"' : '',
						'>',
						'<div class="dsq-authenticated-pic">',
								Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<a href="%(url)s" title="%(request_display_username)s">' +
																			'<img class="dsq-post-avatar" src="%(avatar_url)s" alt="" /></a>',
																			{avatar_url: Dsq.Urls.REQUEST_USER_AVATAR,
																			url: (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote
																					 ? Dsq.jsonData.request.url
																					 : Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + Dsq.Urls.REQUEST_USER_PROFILE) }),
						'</div>',
						'<div class="dsq-authenticated-info">',
							'<ul>',
								'<li>',
									(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote
										? Dsq.FmtStrings.LOGGED_IN_AS(
												Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<a href="%(url)s" title="%(request_display_username)s">%(request_display_username)s</a>', {url:Dsq.jsonData.request.url})
										  )
										: Dsq.FmtStrings.LOGGED_IN_AS(
												Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<a href="%(disqus_url)s%(profile_url)s" title="%(request_display_username)s">%(request_display_username)s</a>')
											)
									),
								'</li>',
								'<li class="logout">',
									(!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote
										? Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<img class="dsq-login-icon" src="%(media_url)s/images/dsqicon12.png" alt="%(logged_in_as)s"/>&nbsp',
											{logged_in_as: Dsq.FmtStrings.LOGGED_IN_AS(Dsq.jsonData.request.display_username)})
										: ''),

									(!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote
										? Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<a href="%(disqus_url)s%(logout_url)s?ctkn=%(csrf_token)s" title="%(logout_from_disqus)s">',
											{logout_url: Dsq.Urls.LOGOUT, csrf_token: Dsq.CSRF_TOKEN, logout_from_disqus: Dsq.FmtStrings.LOGOUT_FROM('DISQUS')})
										: ((Dsq.jsonData.request.remote_domain == 'twitter')
												? Dsq.Utils.interpolate('using Twitter (<a href="%(disqus_url)s%(logout_url)s?ctkn=%(csrf_token)s" title="Logout">Logout</a>)',
												 {logout_url: Dsq.Urls.LOGOUT, csrf_token: Dsq.CSRF_TOKEN})
												: ((Dsq.jsonData.request.remote_domain == 'openid')
													 ? Dsq.Utils.interpolate('using OpenID (<a href="%(disqus_url)s%(logout_url)s?ctkn=%(csrf_token)s" title="Logout">Logout</a>)',
													 {logout_url: Dsq.Urls.LOGOUT, csrf_token: Dsq.CSRF_TOKEN})
													 : ''
													)
											)
									),

									(!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote ? Dsq.FmtStrings.LOGOUT_FROM('<span class="logo-disqus">DISQUS</span>') : ''),
									'</a>',
								'</li>',
							'</ul>',
						'</div>',
					'</div>'
		]);
		if (Dsq.jsonData.context.use_fb_connect) {
			result = result.concat([
					'<div id="dsq-fbc-authenticated" class="dsq-authenticated">',
						'<div id="dsq-fbc-profilepic" class="dsq-authenticated-pic" uid="loggedinuser" type="FB.XFBML.ProfilePic" size="square" facebook-logo="true"></div>',
						'<div class="dsq-authenticated-info">',
							'<ul>',
								'<li>',
									'Logged in as <span id="dsq-fbc-name" uid="loggedinuser" type="FB.XFBML.Name" linked="true" useyou="false"></span>',
								'</li>',
								'<li class="logout">using Facebook Connect <a href="#" onclick="javascript:DisqusFbcParentController.logout();return false;">(Logout)</a></li>',
							'</ul>',
						'</div>',
					'</div>'
			]);
		}
		result = result.concat([
				'</div>', // dsq-auth
				'<div id="dsq-toolbar-items">',
				'</div>'
		]);
		result = result.concat([
					//
					//
					//
				((!Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post && !Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated) ?
					// Needs to be translated:
					('<p id="dsq-no-anon-msg">Required: Please log into <span class="logo-disqus">Disqus</span> ' +
					(Dsq.jsonData.context.use_fb_connect ? 'or connect with Facebook ' : '') +
					(Dsq.jsonData.context.use_twitter_signin ? 'or sign in with Twitter ' : '') +
					(Dsq.jsonData.context.use_openid ? 'or sign in using OpenID ' : '') +
					Dsq.Utils.interpolate('to comment on <strong>%(forum_name)s</strong>.</p>')) :
					''
				),
				'<div id="dsq-post-add"></div>',
				'<div style="margin:10px 0">',
				((Dsq.jsonData.forum.use_media) ?
						'<a href="#" id="dsq-media-link" onclick="Dsq.Post.showMenu(this, false, \'media\'); return false">' + Dsq.Strings.USE_MEDIA + ' <small>&#9660;</small></a>' :
						''),
				'</div>'
		]);
		return result.join('');
	};


	this.header = function() {

		var html = '\<h3 id="dsq-comments-count" class="dsq-h3-commentcount">\
	 <span id="dsq-num-posts">54</span> Comments\
	 &nbsp;\
	 <span class="dsq-item-feed">\
	 <a href="http://gomediazine.disqus.com/degree_or_no_degree/latest.rss"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/bullet-feed.png"></a>\
	 </span>\
	 </h3>\
	 <div id="dsq-options" style="margin:15px 0">\
	 <span class="dsq-item-sort">\
	 Sort by\
	 <select id="dsq-sort-select" onchange="Dsq.Thread.sortBy(this.value);">\
	 <option value="hot" selected="selected">Popular now</option>\
	 <option value="best" >Best Rating</option>\
	 <option value="newest" >Newest first</option>\
	 <option value="oldest" >Oldest first</option>\
	 </select>\
	 &nbsp;\
	 </span>\
	 <span class="dsq-item-cp"><a href="http://gomediazine.disqus.com/degree_or_no_degree/">Community Page</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>\
	 <span class="dsq-item-subscribe">\
	 <img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/email.png" style="width:12px;height:12px;vertical-align:middle">\
	 <span id="dsq-subscribe">\
	 <a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.subscribe(1); return false">Subscribe by email</a>\
	 </span>\
	 </span>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-alerts">\
	 </div>\
		';

		

		
		if (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator) { 
			html = ' \
			<div class="dsq-alert-message dsq-upgrade-message"> \
				<strong>Disqus upgrade available.</strong> Hi ' + Dsq.jsonData.request.display_username + ', this message is being displayed to you because you are a moderator of this site. <a href="#" onclick="Dsq.$(\'dsq-upgrade-message\').style.display=\'block\';this.style.display=\'none\';return false">Click here for details.</a> \
				<div style="display:none; margin-top:10px;" id="dsq-upgrade-message"> \
					A new theme is available with added features. <a href="http://disqus.com/comments/settings/' + Dsq.jsonData.forum.url + '/?p=customize">To change your theme, click here</a> and choose the theme Narcissus. \
					If you do not upgrade, you are missing out on features such as: real-time commenting, new sign-in integrations, and an upgrade interface. \
					<strong>This message will automatically go away in one week.</strong> \
				</div> \
			</div> \
			' + html; 
		}
		return html;
	};

	this.footer = function() {
		var html = Dsq.Templates.pagination();

		
			html += Dsq.Templates.authPost();
		

		html += Dsq.Templates.reactions();

		
			html += Dsq.Templates.trackbacks();
		

		return html;
	};

	this.pagination = function() {
		var html = '';
		
		if (Dsq.$('dsq-pagination')) { Dsq.$('dsq-pagination').innerHTML = ''; }
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.thread.paginate) { return ''; }

		//
		// TODO: num_paginator still uses the template tag for pagination, 
		// 		while append_paginator does it all in JavaScript.
		//		This should all be in JavaScript.
		//

		if (Dsq.jsonData.thread.num_pages > 1 && Dsq.jsonData.request.page < Dsq.jsonData.thread.num_pages) {
			html = ' \<a class="dsq-paginate-append-text" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.paginate(Dsq.jsonData.request.page + 1, this); return false">Show more comments...</a>\
	 <button class="dsq-button-small dsq-paginate-append-button" onclick="Dsq.Thread.paginate(Dsq.jsonData.request.page + 1, this);">Load more comments</button>\
			';
		}
		
		if (Dsq.$('dsq-pagination')) {
			Dsq.$('dsq-pagination').innerHTML = html;
			return '';
		} else {
			return '<div id="dsq-pagination" class="dsq-pagination">' + html + '</div>';
		}
	};

	this.trackbacks = function() {
		var html = '';

		if(typeof DsqLocal != 'undefined' && DsqLocal.trackback_url && DsqLocal.trackbacks) {
			var trackbacks = DsqLocal.trackbacks;
			var trackback_url = DsqLocal.trackback_url;
		} else {
			var trackbacks = [
			
			
			];
			var trackback_url = 'http://gomediazine.disqus.com/degree_or_no_degree/trackback/';
		}

		html += '<div class="dsq-item-trackback">Trackback URL&nbsp;&nbsp;<input class="dsq-trackback-url" onclick="this.select()" readonly="true" value="' + trackback_url + '"></div>';

		if(trackbacks.length) {
			html += '<ul id="dsq-references">'
			for(var i = 0; i < trackbacks.length; i++) {
				var trackback = trackbacks[i];
				html += '<li><cite><a href="' + trackback.author_url + '" rel="nofollow">' + trackback.author_name + '</a></cite> \
						<p class="dsq-meta">' + trackback.date + '</p> \
						<p class="dsq-content">' + trackback.excerpt + '</p></li>';
			}
			html += '</ul>';
			html = '<h3 class="dsq-h3-trackbacks">Trackbacks</h3>' + html;
		}

		return html;
	}

	this.showRetweets = function(id, limit, element_id /* Optional */) {
		var source, html = '';

		for (var i = 0, reaction; reaction = Dsq.jsonData.reactions[i]; i++) {
			if (reaction.id === id) {
				source = reaction.retweets;
			}
		}

		if (source) {
			if (limit === 0) {
				limit = source.length;
			}

			for (var j = 0; j < limit; j++) {
				var rt = source[j];
				html += '<a href="' + rt.url + '">' + rt.author_name + '</a>'	+ ((j === (limit - 1)) ? '.' : ', ');
			}
		}

		if (element_id === undefined) {
			return html;
		}

		var element = document.getElementById(element_id);
		element.innerHTML = html;
		return element;
	};

	this.showMoreReactions = function(reactions, has_more, start, limit) {
		var link = document.getElementById('dsq-show-more-reactions');
		var container = link.parentNode;
		container.removeChild(link);

		for (var i = 0, reaction; reaction = reactions[i]; i++) {
			var el = Dsq.Templates.generateReactionHTML(reaction);
			if (el) {
				container.innerHTML += el;
			}
		}

		if (has_more) {
			var d = Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url;
			var f = Dsq.jsonData.forum.url;
			var t = Dsq.jsonData.thread.id;
			var s = start;
			var l = limit;

			var handler = 'Dsq.Utils.execScript(\'' + d + '/forums/' + f + '/more_reactions.js?t=' + t + '&s=' + s + '&l=' + l + '\', true); return false;';
			container.innerHTML += '<li id="dsq-show-more-reactions"><a href="#" onclick="' + handler + '">Show more reactions</a></li>';
		}
	};

	this.generateReactionHTML = function(reaction) {
		if (reaction.body === null || reaction.body == '') {
			return;
		}

		if (reaction.author_name === '') {
			reaction.author_name = '&nbsp;';
		}

		if (reaction.url === '') {
			reaction.url = reaction.get_service_url;
		}

		/* Reaction HTML begins */
		var item = '<li class="dsq-reaction" id="dsq-reaction-' + reaction.id + '">'
			+ '<div class="dsq-reaction-header">'
			+ '<div class="dsq-header-avatar">';

		if (reaction.author_url && reaction.author_url !== '') {
			item += '<a target="_blank" href="' + reaction.author_url +'">';
		} else {
			item += '<a target="_blank" href="#" onclick="return false;">';
		}

		if (reaction.avatar_url && reaction.avatar_url !== '') {
			item += '<img src="' + reaction.avatar_url + '"/>';
		} else {
			item += '<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/noavatar32.png"/>';
		}

		var service_icon = (reaction.get_service_name == 'trackback' || reaction.get_service_name == 'pingback' ? 'rss' : reaction.get_service_name.replace(' ', ''));
		item += '<img class="dsq-service-icon" src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/reactions/services/' + service_icon + '.png"/>'
			+ '</a></div>'
			+ '<cite><span>' + reaction.author_name + '</span></cite>'
			+ '<span class="dsq-header-meta"><a class="dsq-header-time">' + reaction.date_created + '</a></span>'
			+ '</div><div class="dsq-reaction-body">'
			+ '<div class="dsq-reaction-message">' + reaction.body + '</div>'
			+ '<div class="dsq-reaction-footer">From <a class="dsq-service-name" target="_blank" href="' + reaction.url + '">' + reaction.get_service_name + '</a> '
			+ 'via ' + (reaction.source == 'backtype' ? '<a href="http://backtype.com/">BackType</a>' : '<a href="' + reaction.source_url + '">UberVU</a>')
			+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator || Dsq.jsonData.request.is_global_moderator ? '&nbsp;&bull;&nbsp;<a class="dsq-hide-reaction" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Reaction.hide(' + reaction.id + '); return false;">Hide</a>' : '') + '</div></div>';

		if(reaction.retweets) {
			var num_retweets = reaction.retweets.length;
			if (num_retweets > 0) {
				item += '<div class="dsq-reaction-retweets">';
				if (num_retweets == 1) {
					item += 'One more retweet from <a href="' + reaction.retweets[0].url + '">'  + reaction.retweets[0].author_name + '</a>';
				} else {
					item += (num_retweets + ' more retweets from ');

					item += '<span id="dsq-reaction-retweets-' + reaction.id + '">';
					var n_tweets = (num_retweets > 15) ? 15 : num_retweets;
					item += Dsq.Templates.showRetweets(reaction.id, n_tweets);

					if (n_tweets != num_retweets) {
						item += '</span> <a onclick="Dsq.Templates.showRetweets(' + reaction.id + ', 0, \'dsq-reaction-retweets-' + reaction.id + '\');'
							+ 'this.parentNode.removeChild(this); return false;" href="#">Show all</a>';
					}
				}
				item += '</div>';
			}
		}

		item += '</li>'; /* Reaction HTML ends */
		return item;
	};

	this.reactions = function() {
		var html, reaction;

		if (Dsq.jsonData.reactions === undefined || Dsq.jsonData.reactions.length === 0) {
			return '';
		}

		html = '';
		for (var i = 0; reaction = Dsq.jsonData.reactions[i]; i++) {
			var item = Dsq.Templates.generateReactionHTML(reaction);
			if (item) {
				html += item;
			}
		}

		if (Dsq.jsonData.has_more_reactions) {
			var d = Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url;
			var f = Dsq.jsonData.forum.url;
			var t = Dsq.jsonData.thread.id;
			var s = Dsq.jsonData.reactions_start;
			var l = Dsq.jsonData.reactions_limit;

			var handler = 'Dsq.Utils.execScript(\'' + d + '/forums/' + f + '/more_reactions.js?t=' + t + '&s=' + s + '&l=' + l + '\', true); return false;';
			html += '<li id="dsq-show-more-reactions"><a href="#" onclick="' + handler + '">Show more reactions</a></li>';
		}

		return '<h3 class="dsq-h3-reactions">Reactions</h3><ul id="dsq-reactions" class="dsq-reactions">' + html + '</ul>';
	};
	
	this.missingPermissions = function() {
		return '';
	};

	//
	// Post
	//

	this.prependPost = function(post_id) {
		var html = '<div id="comment-' + post_id + '"></div>';
		return html;
	};

	this.appendPost = function(post_id) {
		var html = '<div id="dsq-comment-reply-' + post_id + '"></div>';
		return html;
	};

	this.postPrependHeader = function(post_id) {
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];

		var _includeServices = function() {
			var userServices = Dsq.Post.getUserServices(null, post_id);
			var html = '';
			var hiddenThreshold = 3; // Define # of services to show before stuffing them in hidden div

			for(var i = 0; i < userServices.length; i++) {
				html +=
				(i == hiddenThreshold
					? '<li id="dsq-drop-hidden-' + post_id +'" class="dsq-drop-hidden"><ul>'
					: '')
				+ '<li class="dsq-drop-services"> \
					<a class="dsq-service-' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '" href="' + userServices[i].url + '" target="_blank"> \
						<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/embed/services/' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '.png" alt="' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '">'
					+ userServices[i].name
					+ '</a> \
				</li>';
			}

			if(i >= hiddenThreshold) {
				html += '</ul></li> \
				<li id="dsq-drop-more-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-drop-more"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.dropProfileMore(this, '+ post_id + '); return false"><small>&#9660;</small></a></li> \
				';
			}
			return html;
		};

		return ' \
			<div class="dsq-header-avatar" id="dsq-header-avatar-' + post_id + '" onmouseover="Dsq.Post.dropProfile(' + post_id + ')"> \
				<a id="dsq-avatar-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-avatar" href="' + userData.url + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.popProfile(' + post_id + '); return false;">'
			+ (Dsq.jsonData.forum.show_avatar
				? '<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.users[_meta.user_key].avatar + '" alt="" />'
				: '')
			+ '</a>'
			+ '</div> \
		';
	};

	this.postAppendHeader = function(post_id) {
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];

		return ''
			+ (_meta.author_is_moderator
				? '<img class="dsq-mod-star" src="http://media.disqus.com/images/bullet-star.png" title="Moderator" alt="" />'
				: '')
			+ '<span class="dsq-header-meta"> \
				<a id="dsq-time-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-header-time" href="#comment-' + post_id + '" title="Permalink">' + _meta.date + '</a> \
			</span>';
	};

	this.preBody = function(post_id) {
		return '';
	}

	this.postBody = function(post_id) {
		// TODO: Deprecate flagging conditional
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		return ''
			+ (_meta.edited
				? '<p class="dsq-editedtxt">(Edited by a moderator)</p>'
				: '')
			;
	};

	this.postFooter = function(post_id) {
		// TODO: Use media should be conditional
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		if(_meta.killed) { return ''; }

		return ' \
			<div class="dsq-comment-footer" id="dsq-comment-footer-' + post_id + '"> \
				<div id="dsq-points-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-likedtxt">'
				+ (_meta.points
					? _meta.points + Dsq.Utils.pluralize(_meta.points, ' person', ' people') + ' liked this comment.'
					: '')
				+ '</div>'
				+ '<ul class="dsq-comment-options dsq-list-style">'
				+ (_meta.votable
					? '<li class="dsq-list-first dsq-rate" id="dsq-rate-cont-' + post_id + '">'
					+ (!_meta.up_voted
						? '<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.rate(this, ' + post_id + ', 1); return false;">Like</a>'
						: 'You liked this.') + '</li>'
					: '')
				+ '<li class="dsq-report' + (!_meta.votable ? ' dsq-list-first' : '') + '" id="dsq-post-report-' + post_id + '"><a href="#" class="dsq-post-report" onclick="Dsq.Post.report(' + post_id + ', false); return false;">Report</a></li> \
				</ul> \
				<ul class="dsq-list-style">'
				+ (_meta.can_reply
					? '<li class="dsq-list-first"><a href="#" id="dsq-reply-link-' + post_id +'" onclick="Dsq.Post.toggleReply(this, ' + post_id +'); return false;">Reply</a></li>'
					: '')
				+ (_meta.can_reply && !_meta.has_replies && _meta.from_request_user
					? '<li id="dsq-edit-el-' + post_id + '"><a id="dsq-edit-link-' + post_id + '" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.edit(this, ' + post_id + '); return false;">Edit</a></li>'
					: '')
				+ '<li class="' + (!_meta.can_reply ? 'dsq-list-first' : '') + '" id="dsq-more-el-' + post_id + '"><a id="dsq-more-link-' + post_id + '" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.showMenu(this, ' + post_id + ', \'more\'); return false">More <small>&#9660;</small></a></li>'
				+ (Dsq.jsonData.forum.use_media
					? '<li id="dsq-media-el-' + post_id +'" style="display:none"><a id="dsq-media-link-' + post_id + '" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.showMenu(this, ' + post_id + ', \'media\'); return false">Use Media <small>&#9660;</small></a></li>'
					: '')
				+ '</ul>'
				+ '<div id="dsq-reply-bar-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-reply-bar" style="display:none"> \
						<div id="dsq-reply-bar-items-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-reply-bar-items"> \
						</div> \
						<div id="dsq-reply-bar-auth-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-reply-bar-auth"> \
							 \
								 \
								 	<a href="#" class="dsq-help dsq-reply-req-opt" title="You are commenting as a Guest. You may choose to log into an existing DISQUS Profile, your Facebook, Twitter or OpenID account to comment on GoMediaZine" onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges(); return false">Optional:</a> \
								 \
								<img class="dsq-login-icon" src="http://media.disqus.com/images/dsq-favicon-16x16.png" alt="" /> \
								<a id="dsq-reply-login-' + post_id + '" href="http://disqus.com/profile/login/?next=article:20544986" onclick="Dsq.Popup.login(); return false">Login</a> \
								 \
									&nbsp;or&nbsp; \
									<img class="fb_login_image" src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/images/fbconnect/login-buttons/connect_light_small_short.gif" alt="Facebook Connect"/> \
									<a href="#" onclick="FB.Connect.requireSession(DisqusFbcParentController.onLogin); return false;">Connect</a> \
								 \
								&nbsp;or&nbsp; \
									<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/twitter-signin-icon.png" alt="" /> \
									<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Twitter.startTwitterConnect(); return false">Sign-in</a> \
								 \
								 \
							 \
						</div> \
					</div> \
					<div id="dsq-reply-' + post_id + '"></div> \
			</div> \
		';
	};

	//
	// Iframes
	//

	this._makeAttributes = function(attributes) {
		// Makes a tag attributes string out of an object.
		// Caller is responsible for making sure nothing needs to be escaped.
		var result = [];
		for (key in attributes) {
			result.push(' ' + key + '="' + attributes[key] + '"');
		}
		result = result.join('');
		return result;
	};

	this._frameGeneric = function(base_url, params, attributes) {
		if(typeof(disqus_callback_params) == 'undefined') {
			disqus_callback_params = '';
		}

		var default_params = {
			// TODO: These should be moved to Dsq.jsonData.
			'f'				: 'gomediazine',
			't'				: 'degree_or_no_degree',
			// Do we need encodeURIComponent here?
			'ifrs'			: encodeURIComponent(disqus_iframe_css),
			'to_redirect'	: encodeURIComponent(window.location),
			'cbp'			: disqus_callback_params,
			'ff'			: Dsq.Thread.ff,
			'fc'			: Dsq.Thread.fc,
			'ac'			: Dsq.Thread.ac,
			'default_text'	: disqus_default_text
		};

		base_url += '?' + (new Date()).getTime();
		// Add params to default_params.
		if(params) {
			for(var key in params) {
				if(params.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
					default_params[key] = encodeURIComponent(params[key]);
				}
			}
		}
		// Build querystring.
		for(var key in default_params) {
			if(default_params[key] && default_params.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
				base_url += '&' + key + '=' + default_params[key];
			}
		}

		return [
			'<iframe marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" hspace="0" vspace="0" frameborder="0"',
			(' allowtransparency="true" src="' + base_url + '"'),
			this._makeAttributes(attributes),
			'</iframe>'].join('');
	};

	this.frameLogin = function(opt_attributes) {
		var params = {};
		var base_url = 'http://disqus.com/embed/login.html';
		var attributes = opt_attributes || {};
		attributes['class'] = 'dsq-post-login';

		if(typeof disqus_frame_theme != 'undefined') {
			params['theme'] = disqus_frame_theme;
		}
		return this._frameGeneric(base_url, params, attributes);
	};

	this.frameReply = function(post_id, extra_params, attributes) {
		// Returns the HTML for a reply iframe. Called by Dsq.Iframes.setReplyIframeToContainer
		var _meta = (typeof post_id != 'undefined') ? Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id] : false;
		var base_url = Dsq.Urls.REPLY;
		var params = {
			'def_email'		: disqus_def_email,
			'def_name'		: disqus_def_name
		};
		if(extra_params) {
			for(var key in extra_params) {
				if(extra_params.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
					params[key] = extra_params[key];
				}
			}
		}
		if(_meta) {
			params['parent_post'] = post_id;
		}
		if(typeof disqus_per_page != 'undefined') {
			params['per_page'] = disqus_per_page;
		}
		if(typeof disqus_frame_theme != 'undefined') {
			params['theme'] = disqus_frame_theme;
		}
		if(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated) {
			attributes['class'] += '-authenticated';
		}
		return this._frameGeneric(base_url, params, attributes);
	};

	this.frameEdit = function(post_id) {
		var _meta = (typeof post_id != 'undefined') ? Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id] : false;
		var base_url = 'http://disqus.com/embed/edit.html';
		var params = {
			'p' : post_id
		};
		return this._frameGeneric(base_url, params, {'class': 'dsq-post-edit', 'name': 'dsq-edit_' + post_id + '-frame'});
	};

	//
	// Menus
	//

	this.menuMore = function(post_id) {
		// TODO: "Remove post" button should hide menu.
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];
		return ' \
			<li><a href="#comment-' + post_id + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.permalink(' + post_id + ')">Link</a></li> \
			<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.popProfile(' + post_id + '); return false;">Profile</a></li>'
	+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator || Dsq.jsonData.request.is_global_moderator
		? '	<li class="dsq-menu-sep"></li>' + (_meta.email ? '<li class="dsq-admin-email">' + _meta.email + '</li>' : '')
		+ '	<li class="dsq-admin-ip">' + _meta.ip + '</li> \
			<li class="dsq-menu-sep"></li>'
		+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.moderator_can_edit
			? ' <li class="dsq-admin-edit"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.edit(this, ' + post_id + '); return false;">Edit Comment</a></li>'
			: '')
		+ ' <li class="dsq-remove"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.removePost(' + post_id + ', 1); return false;">Remove Comment</a></li> \
			<li class="dsq-report-spam"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.reportSpam(' + post_id + '); return false;">Mark Spam</a></li> \
			<li class="dsq-block-user"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.blacklist(' + post_id + '); return false">Block User</a></li>'
		: '');
	};

	this.menuMedia = function(post_id) {
		return ' \
			<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.toggleMediaReply(this, ' + post_id + ', \'seesmic\'); return false;">Record video</a></li> \
		';
	};

	this.dropProfile = function(post_id) {
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];

		var _includeServices = function() {
			var userServices = Dsq.Post.getUserServices(null, post_id);
			var html = '';
			var hiddenThreshold = 3; // Define # of services to show before stuffing them in hidden div

			for(var i = 0; i < userServices.length; i++) {
				html +=
				(i == hiddenThreshold
					? '<li id="dsq-drop-hidden-' + post_id +'" class="dsq-drop-hidden"><ul>'
					: '')
				+ '<li class="dsq-drop-services"> \
					<a class="dsq-service-' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '" href="' + userServices[i].url + '" target="_blank"> \
						<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/embed/services/' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '.png" alt="' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '">'
					+ userServices[i].name
					+ '</a> \
				</li>';
			}

			if(i >= hiddenThreshold) {
				html += '</ul></li> \
				<li id="dsq-drop-more-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-drop-more"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.dropProfileMore(this, '+ post_id + '); return false"><small>&#9660;</small></a></li> \
				';
			}
			return html;
		};


		var menu = '<li class="dsq-drop-showlnk"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.popProfile(' + post_id + '); return false;">Expand &#8663;</a></li>';
		var pointsMessage = '';
		if (userData['registered']) {
			pointsMessage = 'with ' + userData['points'] + ' points (more points are better).';
		}

		if (userData['is_remote']) {
			var domain = userData['remote_domain_name'];
			menu += '<li class="dsq-drop-badge" title="' + userData['display_name'] + ' is a ' + domain + ' user ' + pointsMessage + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges()">';
			menu += '<span class="dsq-badge-' + domain.toLowerCase() + '">' + domain + '</span></li>';
		} else if (userData['registered']) {
			if (userData['verified']) {
				menu += '<li class="dsq-drop-badge" title="' + userData['display_name'] + ' has a verified commenter profile ' + pointsMessage + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges()">';
				menu += '<span class="dsq-badge-verified">Verified</span></li>';
			} else {
				menu += '<li class="dsq-drop-badge" title="' + userData['display_name'] + ' has a registered, but unverified, commenter profile ' + pointsMessage + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges()">';
				menu += '<span class="dsq-badge-registered">Registered</span></li>';
			}
		} else {
			menu += '<li class="dsq-drop-badge" title="' + userData['display_name'] + ' has not claimed this commenter profile." onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges()"><span class="dsq-badge-guest">Guest</span></li>';
		}

		menu += _includeServices();
		return menu;
	};

	//
	// Popups
	//

	this._popupGeneric = function(content) {
		return ' \
		<div class="dsq-popup-content"> \
			<div class="dsq-popup-top"></div> \
			<div class="dsq-popup-body" class="clearfix"> \
				<div class="dsq-popup-body-padding"> \
					<div class="dsq-popup-header"> \
						<a class="dsq-close-link" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true); return false"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/modal-close.png" alt="" /></a>'
						+ content['header']
					+ '</div>'
					+ content['body']
					+ '<div class="powered-by"><a href="http://disqus.com/comments/">Powered by <img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/disqus-logo.png" alt="Disqus Comments" style="margin-bottom:-5px" /></a></div> \
				</div> <!-- padding --> \
			</div> <!-- body --> \
			<div class="dsq-popup-bottom"></div> \
		</div> \
		';
	};

	this.popupProfile = function(user_key) {
		var userServices = Dsq.Post.getUserServices(user_key, null);
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][user_key];
		var headerHtml = '';
		var bodyHtml = '';
		var content = {};

		var _includeServices = function() {
			var html = '';
			for(var i = 0; i < userServices.length; i++) {
				html +=
				(i == 0
					? '<h4>Connections</h4><ul>'
					: '')
				+ '<li> \
					<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/embed/services/' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '.png" alt="' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '" title="' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '" /> \
					<a class="dsq-service-' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '" href="' + userServices[i].url + '" target="_blank">'
					+ userServices[i].name
					+ '</a> \
				</li>'
				+ (i+1 == userServices.length ? '</ul>' : '');
			}
			return html;
		};

		headerHtml = ' \
			<table> \
				<tr> \
					<td> \
						<a class="dsq-profile-userurl" href="' + userData.url + '"><img class="dsq-popup-profile-avatar" src="' + userData['avatar'] + '" alt="" /></a> \
					</td> \
					<td> \
						<div class="dsq-popup-profile-user"> \
							<h3>' + userData['display_name'] + '</h3> \
							<div class="dsq-popup-profile-user-stats" id="dsq-popup-profile-user-stats-' + user_key + '">Loading...</div> \
						</div> \
					</td> \
				</tr> \
			</table> \
		';

		bodyHtml = ' \
			<div class="dsq-popup-profile-state"> \
				This is a&nbsp;<span class="'
					+ (userData['registered']
						? (userData['verified']
							? ' dsq-badge-verified'
							: (userData['is_remote']
								? ' dsq-badge-' + userData['remote_domain_name'].toLowerCase()
								: ' dsq-badge-registered')
							)
							: ' dsq-badge-guest') + '">'
			+ (userData['registered']
				? (userData['verified']
					? 'Verified'
					: (userData['is_remote']
						 ? userData['remote_domain_name']
						 : 'Registered')
					)
				: 'Guest')
			+ '</span>&nbsp;commenter profile.'
			+ '&nbsp;<a class="dsq-profile-userurl" href="' + userData.url + '"><strong>View more comments </strong></a>'
			+ (!userData['points']
				? '<p class="dsq-popup-notice">If this is you, <a href="http://disqus.com/profile" target="_blank">claim it now</a> to manage your comments.</p>'
				: '')
			+ ((userData['registered'] && !userData['verified'] && (Dsq.jsonData.request.username && (Dsq.jsonData.request.username == userData['username'])) && !userData['is_remote'])
				? '<p class="dsq-popup-notice"><strong>Alert</strong>: You have not verified this account. <a href="http://disqus.com/verify">Verify it now.</a></p>'
				: '')
			+ '</div> \
			<div id="dsq-profile-status-' + user_key + '" class="dsq-popup-profile-status" style="display:none"></div> \
			<div class="dsq-popup-profile-snapshot"> \
				<table> \
					<tr> \
						<td> \
							<div id="dsq-popup-profile-active-sites-wrapper-' + user_key + '"> \
								<h4>Most active sites</h4> \
								<ul id="dsq-popup-profile-active-sites-' + user_key + '"> \
									<li>Loading...</li> \
								</ul> \
							</div> \
						</td> \
						<td>'
							+ _includeServices()
							+ '<div id="dsq-popup-profile-moderated-wrapper-' + user_key + '"> \
								<h4>Moderator of</h4> \
								<ul id="dsq-popup-profile-moderated-' + user_key + '"> \
									<li>Loading...</li> \
								</ul> \
							</div> \
						</td> \
					</tr> \
				</table> \
			</div> \
			';

		content = {
			'header': headerHtml,
			'body': bodyHtml
		};

		return this._popupGeneric(content);
	};

	this.popupReblog = function() {
		var headerHtml = '';
		var bodyHtml = '';
		var content = {};

		headerHtml = ' \
			<cite><span>Reblog this comment</span></cite> \
		';

		bodyHtml = ' \
			<div id="dsq-reblog-form" class="dsq-reblog-form"> \
			</div> \
		';

		content = {
			'header': headerHtml,
			'body': bodyHtml
		};

		return this._popupGeneric(content);
	};

	this.popupModal = function(title, message) {
		var headerHtml = '';
		var bodyHtml = '';
		var content = {};

		headerHtml = ' \
			<h3>' + title + '</h3> \
		';

		bodyHtml = message;

		content = {
			'header': headerHtml,
			'body': bodyHtml
		};

		return this._popupGeneric(content);
	};

	this.alertContent = function(name, post_id) {
		var alert = {
			'post_not_approved': {
				'title': 'Comment awaiting approval by a moderator',
				'message': 'Thanks for posting. Your comment must be approved by a moderator before appearing here.'
			},
			'post_has_profile': {
				'title': 'Use your existing commenter profile',
				'message': 'You have just posted your commment as a <span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-guest">Guest</span>, but you may already have a <span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-registered">Registered</span> commenter profile.<br /><br /><a href="http://disqus.com/claim">Log in and claim this comment!</a>'
			}
		};
		return alert[name] || false;
	};

	//
	// Actions
	//

	this.voted = function(post_id, points, vote) {
		// Update number of points
		Dsq.$('dsq-points-' + post_id).innerHTML = points + Dsq.Utils.pluralize(points, ' person', ' people') + ' liked this comment.';

		// Update link text
		if(vote) {
			Dsq.$('dsq-rate-cont-' + post_id).innerHTML = 'You liked this.';
		}
	};

	this.subscribed = function(status) {
		var title, message;

		if(status) {
			title = 'Subscribed!';
			message = 'You have subscribed to this comment thread. New comments will be sent directly to your email inbox, where you may read and respond by email.';
			Dsq.$('dsq-subscribe').innerHTML = ' \
				<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.subscribe(0); return false">Unsubscribe</a> \
			';
		} else {
			title = 'Unsubscribed';
			message = 'You have unsubscribed to this comment thread. New comments will no longer be sent to your email inbox.';
			Dsq.$('dsq-subscribe').innerHTML = ' \
				<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.subscribe(1); return false">Subscribe by email</a> \
			';
		}

		Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, title);

	};
	
	this.highlighted = function() {
		Dsq.Popup.popModal('This comment has been highlighted.', 'Highlighted comment');
	};

	//
	// Media
	//

	this.mediaSeesmic = function(id, thumb) {
		return ' \
			<div id="dsq-seesmic-' + id + '_preview" class="dsq-seesmic-preview"><a href="http://www.seesmic.com/video/' + id + '" target="_blank" class="see_link">&nbsp;</a> \
				<div style="display:block;width:160px; height:120px; border:none; background-image:url(http://t.seesmic.com/thumbnail/' + thumb + ')"> \
					<div id="dsq-seesmic-' + id + '_hide" class="seePlayOverlay" style="display:none;"><img onclick="see_play_video(\'' + id + '\',false)" src="http://media.disqus.com/images/seesmic/stopOverlay.png" width="50" height="50" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand; padding-top: 30px; padding-left: 50px" alt="" /></div> \
					<div id="dsq-seesmic-' + id + '_show" class="seePlayOverlay"><img onclick="see_play_video(\'' + id + '\',true)" src="http://media.disqus.com/images/seesmic/playOverlay.png" width="50" height="50" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand; border:none; padding-top: 30px; padding-left: 50px" alt="" /></div> \
				</div> \
			</div> \
			<div id="' + id + '_content" style="display:block; width:100%; padding-top:5px"></div> \
		';
	};

	//
	// Callbacks
	//

	this.postComment_onSuccess = function(parent_post_id) {
		// Increment post count
		var num_posts = Dsq.$('dsq-num-posts');
		var total_posts = Dsq.$('dsq-total-posts');
		
		if (num_posts) { 
			num_posts.innerHTML = parseInt(num_posts.innerHTML) + 1;
		}
		if (total_posts) { 
			total_posts.innerHTML = parseInt(total_posts.innerHTML) + 1;
		}
	};
};
// Dsq.Templates


/**
 * Dsq.Post
 */
Dsq.Post = new function() {
	this.openedMenu = {};
	this.menuEventListener = null;
	this.stateReplyToggled = {};
	this.stateEditToggled = {};
	this.stateRecordLink = {};

	/**
	 * Inserts a new post into the document.
	 *
	 * @param after_id {Number}	Insert a post before specified id.  If after_id
	 *							evaluates to false, then post in the front.  If
	 *							after_id is -1, post at the end.
	 */
	this.insert = function(after_id, id, message, author) {
		// Skeleton template from thread_posts.html.
		var skeleton = ' \
			<li id="dsq-comment-%(id)s"> \
				<div id="dsq-comment-header-%(id)s" class="dsq-comment-header"> \
					<cite id="dsq-cite-%(id)s" class="dsq-comment-cite"> \
						<a id="dsq-author-user-%(id)s" href="%(author_url)s" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">%(author_name)s</a> \
					</cite> \
				</div> \
				<div id="dsq-comment-body-%(id)s" class="dsq-comment-body"> \
					<div id="dsq-comment-message-%(id)s" class="dsq-comment-message">%(message)s</div> \
				</div> \
			</li> \
		';
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[id];
		var _user_meta = Dsq.jsonData.users[_meta.user_key];
		var markup = Dsq.Utils.interpolate(skeleton, {
			id: id,
			message: message,
			author_url: _user_meta.blog,
			author_name: _user_meta.display_name
		});
		var div = document.createElement('div');
		markup = markup.replace(Dsq.COMMENTS_RE, Dsq.CommentsHandler);
		div.innerHTML = markup;

		if (after_id === -1) {
			Dsq.$('dsq-comments').appendChild(div);
		} else if (!after_id) {
			Dsq.$('dsq-comments').insertBefore(div, Dsq.$('dsq-comments').firstChild);
		} else if (Dsq.$('dsq-comment-' + after_id)) {
			// Get next node after "after_id", so we can insert before it.
			// If "after_id" is the last comment, the target node is the
			// last node.
			
			// var append_post_id = Dsq.Templates.appendPost(after_id).replace('<div id="','').replace('"></div>', '');
			var append_post_id = 'dsq-append-post-' + after_id;
			var node = Dsq.$(append_post_id);
			while (node = node.nextSibling) {
				if (!node || node.nodeType == 1) { // 1 == Node.ELEMENT_NODE
					break;
				}
			}
			if (!node) {
				node = Dsq.$(append_post_id);
			}
			node.parentNode.insertBefore(div, node);
		}
	};

	this.incrementPostCount = function() {
		
		var num_posts = Dsq.$('dsq-num-posts');
		var total_posts = Dsq.$('dsq-total-posts');

		if (num_posts) {
			num_posts.innerHTML = parseInt(num_posts.innerHTML, 10) + 1;
		}
		if (total_posts) {
			total_posts.innerHTML = parseInt(total_posts.innerHTML, 10) + 1;
		}
	}
	
	this.outlineComment = function(post_id) {
		Dsq.$('dsq-comment-' + post_id).className += ' dsq-comment-outline';
		setTimeout("(function () { Dsq.Post.clearOutlineComment(" + post_id + ") })()", 3000);
	};
	
	this.clearOutlineComment = function(post_id) {
		Dsq.$('dsq-comment-' + post_id).className = Dsq.$('dsq-comment-' + post_id).className.replace('dsq-comment-outline', '');
	};

	this.showMenu = function(el, id, name) {
		var anchorPos = Dsq.Utils.findPos(el);
		var menu = document.createElement('ul');

		if(this.openedMenu) {
			if(this.openedMenu.linkClicked) {
				this.openedMenu.linkClicked = false;
				return;
			}
		}

		switch(name) {
			case 'more':
				menu.innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.menuMore(id);
				break;
			case 'media':
				menu.innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.menuMedia(id);
				break;
			default:
				break;
		}

		// Add menu to document body
		menu.id = 'dsq-menu-' + id;
		menu.className = 'dsq-menu';
		Dsq.$b.appendChild(menu);

		// Position and show
		anchorPos[1] += 15;
		menu.style.left = anchorPos[0] + 'px';
		menu.style.top = anchorPos[1] + 'px';
		menu.style.display = 'block';

		// Set global reference
		this.openedMenu = {
			'el' : menu,
			'id' : id,
			'name' : name,
			'linkClicked' : false
		};

		// Set listener
		this.menuEventListener = Dsq.Utils.addEventListener(document, 'mouseup', this._hideMenu);
	};

	this._hideMenu = function(e) {
		var el = e.target || e.srcElement;
		var openedMenu = Dsq.Post.openedMenu.el;
		var id = Dsq.Post.openedMenu.id;

		if(!id) {
			var link = 'dsq-' + Dsq.Post.openedMenu.name + '-link';
		} else {
			var link = 'dsq-' + Dsq.Post.openedMenu.name + '-link-' + id;
		}

		if(!openedMenu) {
			return;
		}

		if(!Dsq.Popup.isClicked(e, openedMenu.id)) {
			openedMenu.style.display = 'none';
			Dsq.Utils.removeEventListener(Dsq.Post.menuEventListener);
			Dsq.Utils.deleteNode(openedMenu);

		} else {
			// Hide the menu if a link was clicked inside the menu.  We can't
			// completely remove the menu until the onclick event on the link
			// fires, but the menuEventListener will prevent multiple menus
			// from polluting the DOM.
			if(el && typeof el.href != 'undefined') {
				openedMenu.style.display = 'none';
				Dsq.Post.openedMenu.el = null;
			}
		}

		if(Dsq.Popup.isClicked(e, link)) {
 			Dsq.Post.openedMenu.linkClicked = true;
		}
	};


	this.getUserServices = function(user_key, id) {
		if(!user_key && id) {
			var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[id];
			user_key = _meta.user_key;
		}
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][user_key];
		var userServices = [];

		// Keep a full list of supported services. This is the order they will display in the drop-profile.
		// Each service must have a corresponding case in _buildServiceUrl()
		var supportedServices = ['blog', 'twitter', 'facebook', 'tumblr'];

		function _buildServiceUrl(serviceName) {
			var data = userData[serviceName];
			var services = {
				blog:		function(d) { return d; },
				twitter:	function(d) { return d; },
				facebook:	function(d) { return d; },
				tumblr:		function(d) { return 'http://' + d + '.tumblr.com'; }
			};
			return services[serviceName](data);
		}

		for(var i = 0; i < supportedServices.length; i++) {
			if(userData[supportedServices[i]]) {
				var serviceUrl = _buildServiceUrl(supportedServices[i]);
				userServices.push({'name' : supportedServices[i], 'url' : serviceUrl});
			}
		}
		return userServices;
	}

	this.dropProfile = function(id) {
		var dp = Dsq.$('dsq-drop-profile-' + id);

		// IE6 needs JS to display/hide. All other browsers use CSS.
		if(dp) {
			if(Dsq.Utils.ie6) dp.style.display = (dp.style.display == 'inline') ? 'none' : 'inline';
			return false;
		} else {
			dp = document.createElement('ul');
		}

		dp.id = 'dsq-drop-profile-' + id;
		dp.className = 'dsq-drop-profile';

		if(Dsq.Utils.ie6) { dp.style.display = 'inline'; }

		var container = Dsq.$('dsq-header-avatar-' + id);
		dp.innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.dropProfile(id);
		container.appendChild(dp);
	};

	this.dropProfileMore = function(el, id) {
		var hiddenItems = Dsq.$('dsq-drop-hidden-' + id);

		hiddenItems.style.display = 'inline';
		el.parentNode.style.display = 'none';
	};

	this._updateReplyLinks = function(el, id) {
		// Update "reply / cancel" links based on state.
		var displayDict = {};

		if(id) {
			if(this.stateReplyToggled[id]) {
				el.innerHTML = 'Cancel';
				displayDict['media'] = 'inline';
				displayDict['edit'] = 'none';
			} else {
				el.innerHTML = 'Reply';
				displayDict['media'] = 'none';
				displayDict['edit'] = 'inline';
			}
		}

		for(var key in displayDict) {
			if(displayDict.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
				var	linkEl = Dsq.$('dsq-' + key + '-el-' + id),
					spacer = Dsq.$('dsq-' + key + '-spacer-' + id);

				if(linkEl) {
					linkEl.style.display = displayDict[key];
					if(spacer) spacer.style.display = displayDict[key];
				}
			}
		}
	};

	this._updateMediaLinks = function(el, id) {
		// Update "use media / cancel" links based on state.
		var appendId = (id) ? ('-' + id) : '';
		var link = Dsq.$('dsq-media-link' + appendId);

		if(this.stateRecordLink[id]) {
			link.innerHTML = 'Cancel Media';
			link.onclick = function() { Dsq.Post.toggleMediaReply(link, id); return false; };
		} else {
			link.innerHTML = 'Use Media <small>&#9660;</small>';
			link.onclick = function() { Dsq.Post.showMenu(link, id, 'media'); return false; };
		}
	};

	this.toggleReply = function(el, id) {
		// Create reply IFrame
		if (window.disqus_use_postmessage) {
			if (!this.stateReplyToggled[id]) {
				Dsq.$('dsq-reply-' + id).style.display = 'block';
				Dsq.$('dsq-reply-bar-' + id).style.display = 'block';
				// Create IFrame if it doesn't exist.
				if (!Dsq.frames['reply_' + id]) {
					var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[id];
					Dsq.frames['reply_' + id] = new Dsq.ReplyFrame(Dsq.$('dsq-reply-frame-' + id), id);
					Dsq.frames['reply_' + id].init();
					Dsq.frames['reply_' + id].setState(id, _meta.depth);
				}
			} else {
				Dsq.$('dsq-reply-' + id).style.display = 'none';
				Dsq.$('dsq-reply-bar-' + id).style.display = 'none';
			}
		} else {
			// DEPRECATED
			if(!this.stateReplyToggled[id]) {
				// Reply toolbar
				Dsq.$('dsq-reply-bar-' + id).style.display = 'block';
				Dsq.Iframes.showReplyIframeInContainerIfAllowed(Dsq.$('dsq-reply-' + id), id);
			} else {
				Dsq.$('dsq-reply-bar-' + id).style.display = 'none';
				Dsq.Iframes.hideAllInContainer(Dsq.$('dsq-reply-' + id));
				if(this.stateRecordLink[id]) {
					// HACK: Cancel media before canceling self.
					this.toggleMediaReply(Dsq.$('dsq-media-link-' + id), id);
				}
			}
		}

		this.stateReplyToggled[id] = !this.stateReplyToggled[id];
		this._updateReplyLinks(el, id);

		if(Dsq.Utils.ie) { Dsq.Utils.fixIframesIE('dsq-reply-' + id); }

		Dsq.Events.fire(Dsq.Events.REPLY_IFRAME_TOGGLED, {
			postId: id,
			opened: this.stateReplyToggled[id]
		});
	};

	this.toggleMediaReply = function(el, id, xtype) {
		id = id || 0;
		if(id) {
			var container = Dsq.$('dsq-reply-' + id);
		} else {
			var container = Dsq.$('dsq-post-add');
		}

		if(!this.stateRecordLink[id]) {
			Dsq.Iframes.showReplyIframeInContainer(container, id, {xtype:xtype}, 'dsq-post-video');
		} else {
			Dsq.Iframes.showReplyIframeInContainer(container, id);
		}
		this.stateRecordLink[id] = !this.stateRecordLink[id];
		this._updateMediaLinks(el, id);

		if(Dsq.Utils.ie) { Dsq.Utils.fixIframesIE(); }
	};

	this.edit = function(el, id) {
		Dsq.$('dsq-comment-message-' + id).innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.frameEdit(id);
		el.parentNode.style.display = 'none';
		if(Dsq.Utils.ie) { Dsq.Utils.fixIframesIE('dsq-comment-message-' + id); }
	};

    this.rate = function(el, id, vote) {
		if(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated || Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_votes) {
			if(vote == 1) {
                Dsq.$('dsq-rate-cont-' + id).innerHTML = '<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading-small.gif">';
            }

            Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/gomediazine/vote.js'
                + '?post_id='    + id
                + '&vote='        + vote);

		} else {
			Dsq.Popup.login(Dsq.Strings.TO_RATE_PLEASE_LOG_IN);
		}
    };

	this.report = function(id, confirmed) {
		if(confirmed) {
			Dsq.Utils.postToUrl('http://disqus.com/forums/gomediazine/degree_or_no_degree/post_report/', {'post_id': id});
			Dsq.Popup.popModal('Thank you. This comment has been flagged for moderator attention.', 'Successfully flagged');
			Dsq.Utils.deleteNode(Dsq.$('dsq-post-report-' + id));
		} else {
			var title = Dsq.Strings.FLAG_INAPPROPRIATE_COMMENT;
			var message = Dsq.Strings.ARE_YOU_SURE_YOU_WOULD_LIKE_TO_REPORT_THIS_COMMENT_TO_A_MODERATOR + '? \
			<br /><br /> \
			<button onclick="Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true)"><strong>' + Dsq.Strings.NO + '</strong>, ' + Dsq.Strings.NEVER_MIND + '</button>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<button onclick="Dsq.Post.report(' + id + ', true);"><strong>' + Dsq.Strings.YES + '</strong>, ' + Dsq.Strings.FLAG_INAPPROPRIATE_COMMENT + '</button><br /><br />'
			+ Dsq.Strings.THIS_WILL_FLAG_COMMENTS_FOR_MODERATORS_TO_TAKE_ACTION + '. \
			';

			Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, title, id);
		}
	};



	this.showAlert = function(id, msg) {
		var msgEl = Dsq.$('dsq-comment-message-' + id);
		var alert = '<div class="dsq-comment-alert">' + msg + '</div>';

		msgEl.innerHTML = alert + msgEl.innerHTML;
	};

};
// Dsq.Post


/**
 * Dsq.Thread
 */
Dsq.Thread = new function() {
	this.fc = null;
	this.ff = null;
	this.ac = null;

	
	this.adminIsOn = false;

	
	
	

	this.hlComment = null;
	this.hlCommentClass = null;

	this.getNextComment = function(el) {
		var start_id = el.id;
		while(el = el.nextSibling) {
			if(el.id && el.id.indexOf('dsq-comment-') != -1 && el.id != start_id) {
				return el;
			}
		}
		return null;
	};

	this.getActiveCommentId = function() {
		if (document.URL.indexOf('#comment-') >= 0) {
			var anchor = document.URL.slice(document.URL.indexOf('#') + 1);
			return anchor.replace('comment-', '');
		}
		return null;
	};

	this.highlightAnchor = function() {
		var i = this.getActiveCommentId();
		if (i == null) return false;
		var id = 'dsq-comment-' + i;
		var hash = window.location.hash;

		// Toggle the hash incase the comment isn't available when the page loads
		// for WebKit-based browsers.
		if (Dsq.Utils.webkit) {
			window.location.hash = '';
			window.location.hash = hash;
		}

		this.hlComment = Dsq.$(id);
		// Adding this conditional guard pending #289
		if (!this.hlComment) {
			return;
		}
		this.hlCommentClass = this.hlComment.className;
		this.hlComment.className += ' dsq-hl-anchor';

		setTimeout("Dsq.Thread.highlightClear()", 3000);
	};

	this.highlightClear = function() {
		if (!this.hlComment) {
			return;
		}
		this.hlComment.className = this.hlCommentClass;
	};

	this.login = function(toggle) {
		// toggle id is #dsq-reply-login-[id]
		var postId;
		if(toggle.id.indexOf('dsq-reply-login') != -1) {
			postId = toggle.id.slice(16);
			var container = Dsq.$('dsq-reply-' + postId);
		} else {
			var container = Dsq.$('dsq-post-add');
		}

		if(toggle) {
			if(toggle.className == 'dsq-login-active') {
				Dsq.Iframes.showReplyIframeInContainerIfAllowed(container, postId);
				toggle.className = '';
			} else {
				Dsq.Iframes.showLoginIframeInContainer(container, postId);
				toggle.className = 'dsq-login-active';
			}
		} else {
			Dsq.Iframes.showLoginIframeInContainer(container, postId);
		}

		if(Dsq.Utils.ie) { Dsq.Utils.fixIframesIE(); }
	};


	this.paginate = function(page, el_clicked, per_page) {
		// Use extra_params to pass any override parameters that we need to persist.
		var extra_params = '';

		// "Per page" can either be overriden by providing it as an argument
		// (per-call) or setting the disqus_per_page override variable (global).
		if(typeof per_page == 'undefined') {
			per_page = null;
		}
		if(typeof disqus_per_page != 'undefined' && per_page === null) {
			per_page = disqus_per_page;
		}

		if(typeof disqus_sort != 'undefined') {
			extra_params += '&sort=' + disqus_sort;
		}
		if(per_page !== null) {
			extra_params += '&per_page=' + per_page;
		}

		Dsq.$('dsq-pagination').innerHTML += '<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading-small.gif">';
		
		if(el_clicked) {
			el_clicked.style.display = 'none';
		}
		
		Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/gomediazine/thread.js'
			+ '?slug='	+ 'degree_or_no_degree'
			+ '&p='		+ page
			+ extra_params);
	};

	this.sortBy = function(sort) {
		var disqus_script = document.createElement('script');
		var disqus_date = new Date();

		if (location.hash != '') {
			location.hash = '#disqus_thread';
		}

		if(typeof(disqus_url) == 'undefined') {
			disqus_url = disqus_href;
		}
		disqus_script.type = 'text/javascript';
		disqus_script.src = 'http://disqus.com/forums/gomediazine/thread.js'
			+ '?slug='	+ 'degree_or_no_degree'
			+ '&sort='	+ sort
			+ '&title='
			+ '&'		+ disqus_date.getTime();

		Dsq.$('dsq-comments').innerHTML = '<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading.gif">';
		Dsq.container.appendChild(disqus_script);
	};

	this.subscribe = function(status, email) {
		// `status` is an int -- 1 to subscribe, 0 to unsubscribe
		if(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated || email) {
			// If authenticated user OR anonymous email provided

			if(email) {
				Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true);
			}

			Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/gomediazine/subscribe.js'
				+'?status=' 	+ status
				+ '&slug='		+ 'degree_or_no_degree'
				+ '&email=' 	+ encodeURIComponent(email));

		} else if(!email) {
			// If anonymous user and no email has been provided yet, prompt for email

			var title = 'Subscribe to this comment thread';
			var message = ' \
				New comments will be sent directly to your email inbox! \
				<div class="dsq-subscribe-submit"> \
					<p><strong>Enter your email address below.</strong></p> \
					<input type="text" id="dsq-subscribe-email"> \
					<button onclick="Dsq.Thread.subscribe(1, Dsq.$(\'dsq-subscribe-email\').value)">Subscribe</button> \
				</div> \
			';

			Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, title);
		}
	};

	this.showSettings = function() {
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator) {
			return;
		}

		/* The form has to be re-designed when more options will come out. */
		var html = 'Automatically close comments after <input size="3" id="dsq-thread-days-alive" value="' + Dsq.jsonData.thread.days_alive + '" type="text" /> days. Existing comments will still be displayed.<br /><br />(Using 0 days will disable this feature)<br /><br />'
								 + '<button onclick="Dsq.Thread.updateDaysAlive();" class="dsq-button-small"><span>Save</span></button>'
								 + '<span id="dsq-thread-settings-status" class="dsq-options-status"></span>';
		Dsq.Popup.popModal(html, 'Settings');
	};

	this.updateDaysAlive = function() {
		var days = Dsq.$('dsq-thread-days-alive').value;
		var status = Dsq.$('dsq-thread-settings-status');
		Dsq.Utils.postToUrl('http://disqus.com/forums/gomediazine/update_days_alive.js', {days:days,thread:Dsq.jsonData.thread.id});
		status.innerHTML = 'Saved!';
		window.setTimeout(function() { status.innerHTML = ''; }, 1000);
	};
};
// Dsq.Thread

Dsq.Events = function() {
	var obj = {};

	// Private
	var handlers = {};
	var getHandlers = function(event) {
		if (handlers[event] === undefined) {
			handlers[event] = [];
		}
		return handlers[event];
	};

	// Public
	// Value keys : postId, node, xtype
	obj.REPLY_IFRAME_CREATED = 1;
	// Value keys : postId, opened
	obj.REPLY_IFRAME_TOGGLED = 2;
	obj.fire = function(event, opt_value) {
		if (!event) {
			throw new Error('Unknown event');
		}
		var value = opt_value || {};
		for (var i=0; i<getHandlers(event).length; i++) {
			getHandlers(event)[i](value);
		}
	};
	obj.addHandler = function(event, callback) {
		getHandlers(event).push(callback);
	};

	return obj;
}();

/**
 * Dsq.Realtime
 */
Dsq.Realtime = new function() {
	var initialized = false;
	var interval = null;
	var last_checked = Dsq.jsonData.request.timestamp;
	var new_posts = [];
	var ongoing_request = false;
	var prev_script = null;

	function updateNewPostCount() {
		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-alert').style.display = new_posts.length ? 'block' : 'none';

		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-queued').innerHTML = new_posts.length
		+ ' new '
		+ Dsq.Utils.pluralize(new_posts.length, 'comment', 'comments')
		+ Dsq.Utils.pluralize(new_posts.length, ' was', ' were')
		+ ' just posted.';

		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-show').innerHTML = '(' + Dsq.Strings.SHOW + ')';
	}

	function insertNewPosts() {
		var post_id = null;
		var after_id = Dsq.$('dsq-sort-select').value === 'oldest' ? -1 : null;

		for (var i=0; i<new_posts.length; i++) {
			post_id = new_posts[i];
			Dsq.Post.insert(after_id, post_id, Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id].message);
			Dsq.Post.incrementPostCount();
			Dsq.Post.outlineComment(post_id);
		}
		new_posts = [];
	}

	this.enableInterval = function() {
		interval = setInterval(Dsq.Realtime.check, Dsq.jsonData.context.realtime_speed);
		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-status').innerHTML = Dsq.Strings.ENABLED;
		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-toggle').innerHTML = '(' + Dsq.Strings.PAUSE + ')';
	}

	this.disableInterval = function() {
		if (interval) {
			clearInterval(interval);
			interval = null;
		}
		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-status').innerHTML = Dsq.Strings.PAUSED;
		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-toggle').innerHTML = '(' + Dsq.Strings.RESUME + ')';
	}

	this.toggleInterval = function() {
		if (!interval) {
			Dsq.Realtime.enableInterval();
		} else {
			Dsq.Realtime.disableInterval();
		}
		return false;
	}

	this.initialize = function() {
		if (!initialized) {
			initialized = true;
			Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-toggle').onclick = this.toggleInterval;
			if (!Dsq.jsonData.forum.streaming_realtime) {
				Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-show').onclick = this.show;
				updateNewPostCount();
			}
			if (Dsq.jsonData.thread.realtime_paused) {
				Dsq.Realtime.disableInterval();
			} else {
				Dsq.Realtime.enableInterval();
			}
		}
	}

	this.show = function() {
		insertNewPosts();
		updateNewPostCount();
		return false;
	}

	this.check = function() {
		if (!ongoing_request && Dsq.jsonData.realtime_enabled) {
			if (prev_script) {
				prev_script.parentNode.removeChild(prev_script);
			}
			ongoing_request = true;
			prev_script = Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/20544986/realtime.js?timestamp=' + last_checked);
		}
	};

	this.update = function(timestamp, posts, users) {
		ongoing_request = false;
		last_checked = timestamp;

		if (users) {
			for (var user_id in users) {
				if (users.hasOwnProperty(user_id)) {
					if (!Dsq.jsonData.users[user_id]) {
						Dsq.jsonData.users[user_id] = users[user_id];
					}
				}
			}
		}

		if (posts) {
			for (var post_id in posts) {
				if (posts.hasOwnProperty(post_id)) {
					if (!Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id]) {
						Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id] = posts[post_id];
						new_posts.push(post_id);
					}
				}
			}

			if (Dsq.jsonData.forum.streaming_realtime) {
				insertNewPosts();
			} else {
				updateNewPostCount();
			}
		}
	};

}();

// DEPRECATED
Dsq.Iframes = function() {
	// Different style of object from the above. Hoping to switch to this for some reason.
	var obj = {};

	// Private
	var showIframeInContainer = function(container, id, markup) {
		// Look through container for iframes, hiding them, except show one that matches id
		// If none of them matched id, create a new iframe using markup and insert it.
		// Returns the iframe node if and only if it was newly created.
		var found = false;
		for (var i=0; i<container.childNodes.length; i++) {
			var child = container.childNodes[i];
			if (child.nodeName == 'IFRAME') {
				if (child.id == id) {
					child.style.display = 'block';
					found = true;
				} else {
					child.style.display = 'none';
				}
			}
		}
		if (found) {
			return;
		}
		// The iframe wasn't found, so construct it and add it to the container.
		// Don't use innerHTML because it might reload iframes
		var div = document.createElement('div');
		div.innerHTML = markup;
		var iframe = div.childNodes[0];
		div.removeChild(iframe);
		container.appendChild(iframe);
		return iframe;
	};

	// Public
	obj.makeReplyIframeId = function(opt_postId, opt_xtype) {
		var id = 'dsq-post-add-iframe';
		if (opt_xtype) {
			id += '-' + opt_xtype;
		}
		if (opt_postId) {
			id += '-' + opt_postId;
		}
		return id;
	};
	obj.makeLoginIframeId = function(opt_postId) {
		if (!opt_postId) {
			return 'dsq-login-iframe';
		}
		return 'dsq-login-iframe-' + opt_postId;
	};
	obj.makeReplyIframeName = function(opt_postId, opt_xtype) {
		var name = 'dsq-reply-frame';
		if (opt_xtype) {
			name += '-' + opt_xtype;
		}
		if (opt_postId) {
			name += '-' + opt_postId;
		}
		return name;
	};
	obj.showReplyIframeInContainer = function(container, opt_postId, opt_extraParams, opt_className) {
		// Construct the id so we can check if it's already present.
		// Hide any other iframes we find, and show this one if it's found.
		var params = opt_extraParams || {};
		// use xtype in the id and name so we can distinguish media replies from text replies:
		var id = Dsq.Iframes.makeReplyIframeId(opt_postId, params.xtype);
		var name = Dsq.Iframes.makeReplyIframeName(opt_postId, params.xtype);
		var attributes = {
			'id': id,
			'name': name,
			'class': opt_className || 'dsq-post-reply'
			};
		var markup = Dsq.Templates.frameReply(opt_postId, opt_extraParams, attributes);
		var iframe = showIframeInContainer(container, id, markup);
		// It was newly created
		if (iframe) {
			Dsq.Events.fire(Dsq.Events.REPLY_IFRAME_CREATED, {
				postId: opt_postId,
				node: iframe,
				xtype: params.xtype
			});
		}
	};
	obj.showLoginIframeInContainer = function(container, opt_postId) {
		var id = Dsq.Iframes.makeLoginIframeId(opt_postId);
		var markup = Dsq.Templates.frameLogin({id: id});
		showIframeInContainer(container, id, markup);
	};
	obj.showReplyIframeInContainerIfAllowed = function(container, opt_postId) {
		if (Dsq.jsonData.context.show_reply) {
			obj.showReplyIframeInContainer(container, opt_postId);
		} else {
			obj.hideAllInContainer(container);
		}
	};
	obj.hideAllInContainer = function(container) {
		for (var i=0; i<container.childNodes.length; i++) {
			var child = container.childNodes[i];
			if (child.nodeName == 'IFRAME') {
				child.style.display = 'none';
			}
		}
	};

	return obj;
}();

Dsq.Twitter = new function() {
	var that = this;

	this.startTwitterConnect = function() {
		var popupParams = 'location=0,status=0,width=800,height=400';
		that._twitterWindow = window.open(Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/_ax/twitter/begin/', 'twitterWindow', popupParams);
		that._twitterInterval = window.setInterval(that.completeTwitterConnect, 1000);
	};

	this.completeTwitterConnect = function() {
		if (that._twitterWindow.closed) {
			window.clearInterval(that._twitterInterval);
			window.location.reload();
		}
	};
};

Dsq.Yahoo = new function() {
	var that = this;

	this.startYahooConnect = function() {
		var popupParams = 'location=0,status=0,width=800,height=400';
		that._yahooWindow = window.open(Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/_ax/yahoo/begin/', 'yahooWindow', popupParams);
		that._yahooInterval = window.setInterval(that.completeYahooConnect, 1000);
	};

	this.completeYahooConnect = function() {
		if (that._yahooWindow.closed) {
			window.clearInterval(that._yahooInterval);
			window.location.reload();
		}
	};
};

Dsq.OpenID = new function() {
	var that = this;

	this.requestURL = function() {
		var message = '<table class="dsq-openid-form"><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;" rowspan="2"><img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.media_url + '/images/openid-icon-100x100.png" /></td>';
		message += '<td><label for="dsq-openid-url">OpenID URL:</label></td><td><input type="text" id="dsq-openid-url" /></td></tr>';
		message += '<tr><td><label for="dsq-openid-username">Display name:</label></td><td><input type="text" id="dsq-openid-username" /></td></tr>';
		message += '<tr><td class="dsq-openid-submit" colspan="3"><input type="button" value="Sign in" onclick="Dsq.OpenID.startConnect();" /></td></tr>';
		message += "</table>";

		Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, 'Sign in using OpenID');
	};

	this.startConnect = function() {
		var isblank = function(str) {
			return /^\s*$/.test(str);
		};

		var openid_url = Dsq.$('dsq-openid-url').value;
		var username = Dsq.$('dsq-openid-username').value;

		if (isblank(openid_url)) {
			return;
		}

		var popupParams = 'location=0,status=0,width=800,height=500';
		var url = Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/_ax/openid/begin/' + '?url=' + encodeURIComponent(openid_url) + '&username=' + encodeURIComponent(username);
		that._openidWindow = window.open(url, 'openidWindow', popupParams);
		that._openidInterval = window.setInterval(that.completeConnect, 1000);
	};

	this.completeConnect = function() {
		if (that._openidWindow.closed) {
			window.clearInterval(that._openidInterval);
			window.location.reload();
		}
	};
};

Dsq.Reaction = new function() {
	var that = this;

	this.hide = function(id) {
		Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/gomediazine/hidereaction.js?' + 'reaction_id=' + id);
	};

	this.reportMissingReactions = function() {
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator || !Dsq.jsonData.forum.reactions_enabled) {
			return;
		}

		if (Dsq.jsonData.thread.queued) {
			Dsq.Popup.popModal('Your report has been received. The system will automatically search for new reactions; if any are found, they will be displayed on this comment thread.<br/><br/>Thank&nbsp;you.',
												 'Reported missing reactions');
			return;
		}

		Dsq.Utils.execScript(Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/forums/gomediazine/queueurl.js');
	};
};

Dsq.CNN = function() {
	var obj = {};

	obj.authenticate = function() {
		var url = Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + "/saml/cnn/try/";
		Dsq.Utils.postToUrl(url, {'target': document.location}, true);
	};

	return obj;
}();


if(Dsq.Utils.ie6) {
	(function() {
		DSQ_HEADER_AVATAR_RE = /<div class="dsq-header-avatar"(.*?)>/gim;
		Dsq.Templates.registerFilter('postPrependHeader', function(html, post_id) {
			// Add "onmouseout" for dsq-header-avatar for dropProfile
			// functionality since IE6 cannot use :hover.
			function _headerAvatarReplace(content, inner, _unused, html) {
				return '<div class="dsq-header-avatar" '
					+ inner
					+ ' onmouseout="Dsq.Post.dropProfile(' + post_id + ')">';
			}
			html = html.replace(DSQ_HEADER_AVATAR_RE, _headerAvatarReplace);
			return html;
		});
	})();
}





	// TODO: Move Seesmic code outside of the main script.  Don't let this script clobber the global namespace.
	if(typeof seesmic == 'undefined') { var seesmic = {}; }
	seesmic.widget = new function () {
		this.callback = function (data) {
			playerVersion = data.disqusplayer;
		};
	};

	
	var scriptEl = document.createElement('script');
	scriptEl.setAttribute('type', 'text/javascript');
	scriptEl.setAttribute('src', 'http://seesmic.com/version.js?callback=seesmic.widget.callback');
	document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(scriptEl);

	
	var scriptEl = document.createElement('script');
	scriptEl.setAttribute('type', 'text/javascript');
	scriptEl.setAttribute('src', 'http://media.disqus.com/javascript/library/swfobject.js');
	document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(scriptEl);

	function see_play_video(_videoUri, _add) {
		var swf = !!playerVersion ? playerVersion : 'http://seesmic.com/embeds/StandalonePlayer.swf';

		flashcontentDiv = Dsq.$(_videoUri + '_content');
		previewDiv = Dsq.$('dsq-seesmic-' + _videoUri + '_preview');
		hideDiv = Dsq.$('dsq-seesmic-' + _videoUri + '_hide');
		showDiv = Dsq.$('dsq-seesmic-' + _videoUri + '_show');
		if(_add) {
			// push flash widget
			var so = new SWFObject(swf, 'sotester', '300', '270', '9', '#000000');
			so.addVariable('video', _videoUri);
			so.addParam('allowFullScreen', 'true');
			so.addParam('allowScriptAccess','always');
			so.useExpressInstall('swfobject/expressinstall.swf');
			so.write(_videoUri + '_content');

			previewDiv.style.display = 'none';
			hideDiv.style.display = 'block';
			showDiv.style.display = 'none';
		}
		else {
			flashcontentDiv.innerHTML = '';
			previewDiv.style.display = 'block';
			hideDiv.style.display = 'none';
			showDiv.style.display = 'block';
		}
	};





(function() {
	//
	// Load theme.  This overrides the base templates with template functions
	// from the respective themes.
	//
	if (Dsq.jsonData.integration.theme == 4) {
		var theme = 'narcissus';
		// HACK: Set variable on window to use post message.
		window.disqus_use_postmessage = true;

		
		for(var prop in Dsq.Themes[theme]) {
			if(Dsq.Themes[theme] && Dsq.Themes[theme].hasOwnProperty(prop)) {
				Dsq.Templates[prop] = Dsq.Themes[theme][prop];
			}
		}
		
		for(var prop in Dsq.Post) {
			if(Dsq.Themes[theme] && Dsq.Themes[theme].hasOwnProperty(prop)) {
				Dsq.Post[prop] = Dsq.Themes[theme][prop];
			}
		}
	}

	//
	// Register templates.  This must be done after all themes are loaded.
	//
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('authPost', Dsq.Templates.authPost);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('header', Dsq.Templates.header);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('footer', Dsq.Templates.footer);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('trackbacks', Dsq.Templates.trackbacks);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('reactions', Dsq.Templates.reactions);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('prependPost', Dsq.Templates.prependPost);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('appendPost', Dsq.Templates.appendPost);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('postPrependHeader', Dsq.Templates.postPrependHeader);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('postAppendHeader', Dsq.Templates.postAppendHeader);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('preBody', Dsq.Templates.preBody);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('postBody', Dsq.Templates.postBody);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('postFooter', Dsq.Templates.postFooter);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('_popupGeneric', Dsq.Templates._popupGeneric);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('voted', Dsq.Templates.voted);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('popupProfile', Dsq.Templates.popupProfile);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('postBox', Dsq.Templates.postBox);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('pagination', Dsq.Templates.pagination);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('postComment_onSuccess', Dsq.Templates.postComment_onSuccess);

})();

Dsq.container.className = "clearfix";
Dsq.container.innerHTML = ' \
<ul id="dsq-comments">\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10522159">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10522159" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10522159" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-10522159" href="http://simonh.toile-libre.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Simon H.</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10522159" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10522159" class="dsq-comment-message">I\'m not sure you "need" a degree to be a good designer, but I\'m sure of 2 things :<br>* Being in schooland have a few classes about the fundamentals of design, color theory and so on helps a lot,<br>* Being at school helps to build a network.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10522356">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10522356" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10522356" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-10522356">Nate</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10522356" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10522356" class="dsq-comment-message">Jeff,<br><br>You are right on.  I have interviewed potential designers with degrees, nice resumes, etc but only to be disappointed by their portfolios.  I earned my BFA and after really learning my software, I than began to blossom as a designer.  One must keep up on programs and be diligent on training themselves.  A good education is a good start but to maintain or achieve success, one must keep up on learning new techniques, programs, trends, and etc.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10522615">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10522615" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10522615" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-10522615" href="http://simonh.toile-libre.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Simon H.</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10522615" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10522615" class="dsq-comment-message">Exactly !</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10523121">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10523121" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10523121" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-10523121">Darren</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10523121" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10523121" class="dsq-comment-message">I am a designer for a large UK retailer, I don\'t have a degree, when I started out as a Web Designer there were NO qualifications in the UK.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10523230">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10523230" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10523230" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-10523230">Kye</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10523230" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10523230" class="dsq-comment-message">Schooland tells you to read books and study the fundementals of design, any cunt can do that in their own time.<br><br>The major difference nowadays is people turn to the internet, which is 99% authored by idiots, for idiots.  Books are vetted by editors and finely tuned into a worthwhile product, however anyone can start a blog and call themselves experts.<br><br>School doesn\'t help you build networks either, being in the game does.  Clients I met through school/college/uni = none, people I\'ve met through running my business and putting myself out there = everyone<br><br>The best course I ever actually took was A level Industrial Design, why?  Nothing to do with design, but we where constantly pushed back and forth between design and specification, with a lot stricter options over what we could do, as well as being forced to justify why everything is done and take into account more things than any graphic course made you, this reflected the real world a hell of a lot better than any other design course I\'ve taken</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10811299">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10811299" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10811299" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-10811299" href="http://www.blog.mookiedesign.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Cam</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10811299" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10811299" class="dsq-comment-message">I disagree. I went to school for illustration/animation learning traditional painting and drawing and i\'d say 80% of my class has helped each other w/ jobs or leads. We\'re all really good and resourceful which also helps. Learning the fundamentals is never wrong ( i use my color theory and light/shadow knowdlege damn near every day as a designer). Doesn\'t mean you NEED a full degree but if you have more ambition than "lowly designer", i\'d recommend it.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10524835">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10524835" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10524835" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-10524835" href="http://www.facebook.com/people/James-Bull/569551617" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">James Bull</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10524835" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10524835" class="dsq-comment-message">I personally took a two-year production and design program offered by my local technical institute.    Although there was almost no "design" instrution, the program offered two years of in-depth software training.<br><br>This really sharpened my photoshop, HTML, CSS, and various other skills.  It allowed me to learn design on my own, and with sites like this one, and all the other great blogs and resources, the design aspect has come naturally.<br><br>I would recommend this route to anyone who wants to learn the tools quick and has the self discipline to learn the other aspects on their own!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10524980">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10524980" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10524980" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-10524980" href="http://www.acidiclemons.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AcidicLemons</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10524980" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10524980" class="dsq-comment-message">I was wondering if having a degree made any kind of difference or not. I\'ve been designing my own websites since I was about 14/15. Granted, going to school gives you a boost of knowledge. I considered going to school for graphic or web design, & the costs are phenomenal. It\'s not worth it to me. I learned on my own, & I taught myself everything I know. I\'ll just keep doing that. I also do it for fun, so that could explain why I\'m not so set on doing it "religiously." I have a small network & I make some nice change, & that\'s what matters to me.<br><br>So I say...degrees aren\'t necessary if you\'ve got the skillz! :D</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10525312">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10525312" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10525312" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-10525312">AndrewCrocker</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10525312" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10525312" class="dsq-comment-message">I went to school, and it was fun.  But looking back on it I\'m not 100% sure if it was valuable.<br><br>My opinion is this:  If you\'re going to a school, MAKE SURE it\'s worth your time.  If it\'s a bad school, or some design program at a no-name state school and you\'re pretty sure you already have good design abilities really think about if it\'s worth it.<br><br>But if your school is Art Center or some other top school.. yeah.  suck it up, get some loans and go.  You really get what you pay for.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10531207">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10531207" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10531207" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-10531207" href="http://nicoles-treehouse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Nicole B</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10531207" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10531207" class="dsq-comment-message">I am a graphic designer who didn\'t go to design school. However I have been studying art since I was old enough to hold a pencil. For me, its a matter of artistic talent. You either have it or you don\'t. I know plenty of design school students who just don\'t seem to get it.<br>I learned the software from books, tutorials, internships, and the connections I made with people through those internships. But it also goes back to the point on motivation. I tried a lot harder then most designers to compensate. <br>There are definitely times when I wish I had gone to design school, but that\'s usually because I am not always taken seriously as a designer because of it. Luckily, I got a creative director who didn\'t give a rat\'s ass about what my degree was in.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10531962">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10531962" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10531962" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-10531962" href="http://www.tkg.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Aaron Van Dike</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10531962" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10531962" class="dsq-comment-message">I started at a community school (just go get the required classes before going to Akron or Kent.) There I learned the very basics of Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. I then took the principles I learned and applied them to my first job laying out ad\'s and a weekly paper. I think school was a great idea at first, it got me understanding how to use the technical side of things, but where I really started learning was on the job. I currently work as a Graphic Designer for Websites and everything I need to know on a daily basis here was learned during my time as an Intern, on the job training and experience has helped me out an enormous amount.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10531984">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10531984" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10531984" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-10531984" href="http://www.gomedia.us" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jeff Finley</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10531984" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10531984" class="dsq-comment-message">Going to school is a little more than just learning and preparing for the "real world"  It\'s a part of your life that can be a good experience for you.  Find a city you want "sort of" live in and then you can get a feel for what it\'s like living on your own while there are still some strings attached (dorms, mom and dad, etc).  School is filled with lots of valuable experiences (like meeting a potential mate).  <br><br>Those things are often overlooked.  Sure you can do all that without paying for college, but college forces you to do it day in and day out and gives you freedom to learn.  Whereas the real world won\'t be so forgiving.  <br><br>It\'s a good time to "grow up" for a lot of kids.  However, if you\'re 18, and already making a decent living freelancing and already have people knocking on your door for a job, then college might not be worth it.  <br><br>Kind of like going to the NBA without college.  Sure, skill wise it can be done.  But those people are going to miss out on most of the social aspects of college and they might not be able to get those 4 years back.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10532204">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10532204" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10532204" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-10532204" href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Jordan-Garn/1512969658" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jordan Garn</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10532204" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10532204" class="dsq-comment-message">School motivates me to do the stuff that I need to learn, it also teaches me how to learn.  I don\'t know if you necessarily need to get a degree but School is a great place to learn and collaborate (I wouldn\'t say that it\'s the only way though)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10532404">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10532404" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10532404" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-10532404" href="http://www.trueelements.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pedro</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10532404" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10532404" class="dsq-comment-message">I definatley AGREE 100%.. In the field of Design your portfolio speaks way louder than your degree.<br>Awesome post,<br>Pedro<br><a href="http://www.trueelements.wordpress.com" rel="nofollow">www.trueelements.wordpress.com</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10532606">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10532606" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10532606" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-10532606" href="http://en-gb.facebook.com/people/Don-Gaines/71002384" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Don Gaines</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10532606" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10532606" class="dsq-comment-message">I sometimes regret going to college, mainly because of the debt but when I step back, I begin to really appreciate it. I don\'t think a college degree is necessary to be a good designer(for example some of the people above and david carson, they don\'t have degrees). I do think that college gives you the opportunity to become comfortable in client presentations, does require you to think critically about your projects and pushes you to always be conceptual. I\'m fairly fresh out of college but a bit traditional in some of my thoughts and I\'d much rather see a good concept than beautiful eye candy. I don\'t think if I\'d gone to college I would get the conceptual part, I might, but who knows.<br><br>I also made some good friends and because of my college got an internship and because of people met at that internship have just gotten another job with one of the largest ad agencies in my state. Sure, I could\'ve gotten those connections elsewhere but I just don\'t know how it would have happened. <br><br>The other thing I\'ve seen out of non-degree holders is making some basic design mistakes. I know there\'s not really a \'set of rules\' to follow when it comes to design but if you decide to break something from the norm, then you better have a damn good reason for doing so (aka, a good concept). For instance, on the web, studies have shown that people expect the logo to be in the top left area of your site. If it\'s not, it\'s confusing for them. This becomes a usability issue and a flaw in basic design principles.<br><br>Eh, and forgive this, this is pure speculation, but I think there could be a tendancy for self-taught designers to be a little cocky and unwilling to take critiques because they\'ve taught themselves everything they know. That my friends is pure speculation, so please do not assume I am generalizing every non-degree holder out there.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10532637">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10532637" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10532637" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-10532637">Eric Schultz</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10532637" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10532637" class="dsq-comment-message">If you want a job, you do. Application and design history/real world training come from school too, but you really get your chops up by doing. But you really can\'t do that (get your chops up) without a job; and if you don\'t have a degree, 9 times out of 10, you won\'t get a job.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10532752">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10532752" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10532752" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-10532752">Mandy</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10532752" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10532752" class="dsq-comment-message">I have a degree and to me its worth nothing. I had been designing for years before I went to college. When I got there, we started off with pretty much \'Opening Photoshop How-to\'.  I went through 4 years of learning the programs for my degree, not so much theory. No one in my class had any experience and it lacked almost any competitive drive. (well maybe for the rest of the class, but to me it was all just a breeze. <br><br>Before I went to college I was completely obsessed with design. I knew trends, patterns, everything current. I feel like I completely lost this at school. They don\'t teach you how to keep your designs current, only teach how to do the basics. (Of course I went to a state school) I think that is a major flaw of most schools. To me, being in the front of things is the most important design skill. Making your designs look fresh and it will stand out for years to come. <br><br>Also, design is something changing rapidly. Designers who went to school 10 years ago\'s degree\'s should pretty much be void about now, and most of them are probably still paying on it. THAT right there says just how useful design school is.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10560302">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10560302" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10560302" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-10560302">graF.pt</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10560302" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10560302" class="dsq-comment-message">I have to say your post is a little harsh. I have a feeling you just went to a bad school, bc yes those DO exist (Full Sail in Orlando, FL would be one of them) and its unfortunate that you could have attended one. So your telling everyone that the top designers who run their own companies, and have for 10+ years dont know what they are talking about? I have to disagree on that.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10613113">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10613113" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10613113" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-10613113">Mandy</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10613113" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10613113" class="dsq-comment-message">Yes, I do think a 10 year old degree is basicly void. Everything you learned in school 10 years ago would be useless. None of the programs existed, none of the same rules apply really. <br><br>But those who have ran companies for 10+ years do know what they are talking about because they have ran companies for 10 years. I\'m sure even they will say that they theories and processes they learned that long ago dont apply now.. Many schools were still teaching graphic design on paper when top designers started.<br><br>Just that fact shows me that school is completely unnecessary (past a technical level) <br><br>Design is just something that if you know what you are doing, it is easier, and can be more effective to learn on your own. <br><br>Yes, I had a bad school, but so do a lot of people, with degrees. Again proving its lack of importance. When your school lacks challenges, competition, etc, you loose all drive. <br><br>To sum it up,<br><br>Either you go to a <br>cheap school - learn little and teach yourself how to become good<br><br>or <br><br>expensive but good school - they teach you how to teach yourself to stay good <br><br>Why not just skip all of that and teach yourself from the beginning.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-11494491">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-11494491" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-11494491" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-11494491">Nad</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-11494491" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-11494491" class="dsq-comment-message">I agree with you 100%. I am going to a college that prides themselves on becoming a University when their graphic design department sucks and the teachers/professors barely know what they are teaching. I keep learning on my own but there is no motivation or excitement when you are in the classes and the teachers give you the project, which is making a map in illustrator. Another fault that my teachers had are that they play favorites in their classes and then treat others like crap. Its unfortunate when the focus should be on helping the students get a solid foundation of design and guide them towards learning in an efficient manner.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10554188">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10554188" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10554188" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-10554188" href="http://jessefrye.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jesse</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10554188" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10554188" class="dsq-comment-message">good post. I\'d say that regardless of education or not. You learn more if you have the opportunity to be thrown in and gain the experience first hand. Nothing is a better teacher than experience. Some people just need school to force them to get that experience.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10556772">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10556772" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10556772" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-10556772" href="http://twitter.com/VRizo" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">VRizo</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10556772" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10556772" class="dsq-comment-message">I\'m a highschool senior currently in this dilemma. Like Jeff said, college is a major part of life, and I don\'t want to miss out on that. However, I don\'t even know the direction I\'m going in, so college could end up being a colossal waste of time and money. This would be easier, though, if I could sustain myself freelancing, which I can\'t. So going straight to the job hunt isn\'t really very enticing.<br><br>One bit of advice I\'ve received is to go to college for design, but minor in business, which would give me a nice fallback plan and also administrative skills if I were to ever go that route.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10556930">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10556930" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10556930" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-10556930">Amatatomba</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10556930" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10556930" class="dsq-comment-message">I just graduated high school (today actually) and I considered going to school for graphic design. But ultimately the high cost of tuition forced me to choose another school. I still very much want to pursue graphic design, but I\'m not sure if that will happen or not. I would have loved to go to the art school though, it was a lot more alluring to me than a traditional 4 year college.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-11494525">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-11494525" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-11494525" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-11494525">Nad</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-11494525" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-11494525" class="dsq-comment-message">I recommend Ringling College of Art and Design. I\'m hoping to go there after graduating in a year. Its a great art college.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10557244">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10557244" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10557244" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-10557244" href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Oscar-Cole/1500107541" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Oscar Cole</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10557244" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10557244" class="dsq-comment-message">A man was thrown into a remote jungle and had to survive for 5 years.<br>In a city, a man was taught how to survive in a jungle for 5 years.<br>After both of the mens "training" was complete, they were both thrown into a remote jungle together. They both live, but the man who had the actual experience did better than the man in school.<br>school is good..but experience with a serious dose of drive and determination almost always triumphs...in my honest opinion</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12068187">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12068187" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12068187" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12068187">Jhaynna05</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12068187" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12068187" class="dsq-comment-message">yap, i agree with this one.. experience + talent is much much much more needed..</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10562951">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10562951" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10562951" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-10562951" href="http://www.joebarondesign.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Joe Baron</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10562951" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10562951" class="dsq-comment-message">Here are my thoughts.<br>       It seems like a lot of people are complaining about a going to college. Well, first not many know exactly what they want to do in life. I did not know what I wanted to do and my father was recommended by a motion/graphic designer that he worked with to go for graphic design, because it\'s the most successful way of making a living off art. I was not allowed to go to a strictly art school, because what if I didn\'t like graphic design and wanted nothing to do with art, I would\'ve been screwed. Yes, I would\'ve transferred, but that would\'ve been more debt and a year behind of graduating in the 4 years that I wanted to. College has many uses just like Jeff said.<br>     Now as for the design part of college. Some people need to know color theory and the design basics. Yes, you can learn it on your own, but not everyone is motivated to do so, especially if you\'re enjoying your college experience. College is to help you learn design and build your portfolio. If you do not take it serious, then it\'s going to show in your work. I know plenty of my classmates that did not take it so serious and it showed. It\'s really no surprise either that some of them aren\'t designing professionally. I treated every class like it was a job and every critique like it was a client critiquing me. I worked hard looking up design blogs and it was very fortunate for me to find Go Media via istockphoto(it was showcasing the first poster). I\'m not a great designer, but I have to work hard. Yes, there are your freelancers that don\'t need to go to college, I believe Chuck Anderson(No Pattern) is one, but you have to work twice as hard. College should have a leg up in networking, but taking initiative does more for you. One important lesson I learned when I was young is that your schooling is what you make of it. You can go to the best school and not care and you can complain. You can go to a not so great or popular art school and try and learn as much as possible and you can come out pretty good. It\'s all about the effort that goes in, but with school you can learn about design without being too motivated. I wouldn\'t pass it up, but I don\'t think you should look down at schooling. There\'s so much to learn. If you feel that you have the knowledge, tools, and portfolio to start working then do so. What\'s important is really doing what you love.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10566413">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10566413" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10566413" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-10566413" href="http://www.famouslogos.org/blog" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Roberta Seldon</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10566413" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10566413" class="dsq-comment-message">I agree. A strong portfolio does speak louder than a degree. What a degree tells us is that an individual was able to pass the courses he or she had taken. It tells us nothing about that individual\'s artistic capabilities. So while brushing up on tips, trends and techniques is definitely necessary in order to stay in the loop and improve upon one\'s skills, a degree is not an absolute necessity.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10566880">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10566880" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10566880" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-10566880" href="http://www.blog.exxcorpio.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Luis Lopez</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10566880" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10566880" class="dsq-comment-message">A degree is not an obligation on design, I Have one on Graphic Design but I\'ve never had to show it for a job, soo your abilities are more important, but going to scholl you\'ll learn how to interact with the others and a diploma is valuable if sometime, you need it.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10593416">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10593416" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10593416" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-10593416" href="http://www.artficionado.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Henry</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10593416" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10593416" class="dsq-comment-message">I believe that you can excel in graphic design if you have a natural talent, passion and determination.<br>School is very beneficial and should be considered if you can afford it! Everything else depends on opportunity. I know plenty of extremely talented artists with degrees, that can not find a decent paying job and I also know of a few artists that have degrees and can\'t design they\'re way out of a paper bag.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10600857">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10600857" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10600857" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-10600857">Facebook User</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10600857" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10600857" class="dsq-comment-message">This article is phenomenal as it has been very relevant in parts of my career (especially in the beginning).  I never studied art in college and had a hard time finding fulfillment in any job I found.  I was doing freelance on off hours which developed a portfolio that was able to land me my first design job.<br><br>While working there, my colleges all had degrees from art schools and I felt like I always had to prove myself (although as I found later, no one was testing me).  I was very insecure in the fact that I never had a degree related to the industry.  I did at one time have a new co-worker who went to a prestigious art school in Philadelphia, and was sure to make me feel inferior simply because of where he attended school.  The irony is that he was the worst designer in the company and was let go 4 weeks from the day he started.<br><br>After all is said and done, I wouldn\'t advise not going to school for working in this industry.....however, I wouldn\'t deem it necessary to succeed if you are highly talented, and motivated as this article suggests. Having those key ingredients, coupled with the drive to make it "on your own" and you may be able to create the opportunities you\'re hoping for.<br><br>After not having any kind of degree in the digital arts industry, I have been a Creative Director for the last several years.  I am secretly (secret from my company, of course) about 1 year away from having my own business.<br><br>I created a quote to sum up the path that lead me to where I am today.  About a year ago, I had it tattooed over my heart:  "Some say I\'m going the wrong way . . . when it\'s just a way of my own . . . away from the rest."  ~ Jeff San Juan</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10607824">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10607824" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10607824" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-10607824" href="http://www.crearecommunications.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mat</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10607824" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10607824" class="dsq-comment-message">It all comes down to if the person can do the job or not, its that simple. If they can they can, if they cant they cant no matter their qualifications or lack there of.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10609643">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10609643" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10609643" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-10609643" href="http://www.crearedesign.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Michael Thomas</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10609643" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10609643" class="dsq-comment-message">What a great blog, this is something I think about on a regular basis. From the age of 16 I stayed on at school choosing graphic design, art, history and IT, I then went on to college to do a years art foundation diploma and then a 3 year BA Honors degree course in Graphic Design. That means I was 22 when I left university and I had many friends who had been working full time for the past 6 years, when I finally started work I was at the bottom again  as I had so much to learn. If at 16 I had started the job as an apprentice then at the age of 22 I would be a master in what I do, so I am not sure if education is the best way to go for certain jobs, but then when would you ever find the time again to spend 6 years doing minimum work and partying all the time?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10622965">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10622965" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10622965" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-10622965" href="http://www.geoffmay.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Geoff May</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10622965" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10622965" class="dsq-comment-message">Ah, the old "school vs. no school" question.  I went to art school and looking back I definitely picked up some valuable skills.  Mostly I learned a good deal about color theory (which is important since I\'m colorblind), composition and time management (funny sounding, I know!).  I also was able to explore a ton of different mediums and get a feel for what I actually want to do.<br><br>That said, I learned a TON more on my own out in the "real world".  A degree is nice and it\'s definitely a good way to get your foot in the door with an ad agency or design firm, but it\'s not the be all end all.  In the end, your portfolio and work experience are going to do more for you than your degree.<br><br>As far as making connections from college goes, I made none.  I see people from college every now and then but it\'s not like we\'re now industry contacts with each other.  All my contacts/networks have been made due to being out in the real world and actually working.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10623126">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10623126" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10623126" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-10623126" href="http://www.geoffmay.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Geoff May</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10623126" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10623126" class="dsq-comment-message">I should also note that college DEFINITELY helped me form a thick skin.  Getting critiqued on everything I did went a long way in understanding that criticism isn\'t a bad thing.  There\'s too many self taught designers who get all bent out of shape when someone says something negative about your work.<br><br>Art school also helped me deal with the competition in the industry.  I\'m a competitive person by nature, so it wasn\'t too big of a deal.  Still, it\'s a microcosm of what you\'ll be dealing with once you\'re out in the industry working.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10645456">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10645456" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10645456" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-10645456" href="http://www.krop.com/solamstutz" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sol Amstutz</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10645456" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10645456" class="dsq-comment-message">That is something that I see as a huge advantage, Geoff.  I just graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Graphic Design and I think that is at least one major thing that I appreciate about my schooling.  Being critiqued (and harshly) at times helps you build up your ability as an artist to be critical of yourself, which I think is extremely helpful.  You can in no way be successful as an artist/designer if you can\'t take or appreciate when people criticize your work.  <br><br>However, the flip side of my opinion on the matter would be that I, in some capacity at least, feel that I almost wasted four years going to pointless classes when I could have been focusing on my skills/connections as a freelancer and my general art skills in general.  I do feel like when it came down to finding a "real" job that I might have a slight edge over someone without a degree just for experience sake, but in the end I think you\'re motivation and work as a designer will be the deciding factor in any situation.  A degree doesn\'t make you good at anything.  Drive and motivation and willingness to constantly improve yourself are key.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10628091">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10628091" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10628091" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-10628091">realitysyndrome</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10628091" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10628091" class="dsq-comment-message">I went into a 2yr program for "Graphics Communication" at the local community college, mostly because I didn\'t want to be yet another fine-artist who can\'t piece a few bucks together. I did all my art courses in the first year, and swore up and down that the the teachers were out of their minds. One in particular swore to me that if you really liked design as a career you\'d never stop learning, and I should continue on to a 4 year school. This from a woman who carted around a load of design magazines and books. I didn\'t understand or appreciate that. <br><br>In my third semester I was asked to transfer to the digital illustration field (where my abilities were far outstripping my fellow students, in contrast to how badly I was doing in the hand-drawn design classes)... In either regard, I began to hate aspects that demanded I "conform" and when financial things fell through the roof I withdrew. 1 Figure Drawing course away from a Certificate and a few English and math from my associates. <br><br>I took an almost five year break from the art-field, with the exception of artwork for people I knew. Some paid, some unpaid and just for fun. One of these landed me a job. It was simple at first, clean up artwork and prepare it for printing. Then I started designing my own, setting up standards and procedures for the artwork at the business. In the almost-2years since I started there I have a whole new appreciation and love for Design and Graphic Arts which school failed to give me. <br><br>I now find it to be an addiction. One that comes with magazines, blogs, and various online tools to help me get better. Even so I still struggle with the same thing I struggled with in school, mixing and blending color. It just doesn\'t come naturally to me. In some ways, I look back and think it would have been nice, if I could have appreciated Design this much, back then and actually gone on to the 4 year school. But I don\'t think it would have done me any good unless I were to go now. If I went now, it would be purely to see what others are doing and refine myself even further. <br><br>I will say that almost without realizing it I fall back on my high school and college art training. It amazes me how much of that I have put to good use in setting up the art-department and doing the artwork where I work. Even so, It was just the basics that have been drilled into my head over and over again since 7th grade.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10630185">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10630185" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10630185" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-10630185">Omek</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10630185" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10630185" class="dsq-comment-message">I graduated from a 4-year college with a B.S. in Mass Communications with an emphasis in Visual Communications, and I can definitely say that I was not taught that much of the CS suite. I was basically on my own. Luckily, I had already been using it before I started college, so it wasn\'t that big of a deal. But still, you can\'t just assume you\'re going to learn everything you need from college. I mistakingly thought since I graduated, I really didn\'t need to delve any further in to Adobe products or other design software.<br><br>So, I can definitely relate about having teach yourself things. You can\'t just expect someone else to show you everything, sometimes you have to discover it for yourself. And you have to have the drive to do it.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10635679">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10635679" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10635679" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-10635679" href="http://www.ok3.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">chris</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10635679" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10635679" class="dsq-comment-message">No, you don\'t need a degree for design.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10657427">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10657427" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10657427" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-10657427">JoeG</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10657427" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10657427" class="dsq-comment-message">Sometimes I feel as if college was a waste of my time, and that I could\'ve saved money and learned more on my own. However, I realize now that without school, I never would\'ve known where to start. Being in school taught me not just the programs I would need to be familiar with, but how the industry works and what it involves. I never could\'ve figured that out on my own, mainly because I was completely ignorant about it. Not only that, but school forced me to learn the things I needed to even when I hated it. If I was doing it on my own, I might\'ve given up and never realized that this is exactly what I wanted to do with my life. School is what got me into the field of work that I love and I don\'t regret going one bit (debt or no debt)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10676397">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10676397" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10676397" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-10676397">Christine</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10676397" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10676397" class="dsq-comment-message">When I was picking out my course preferences for University 6 years ago, my first few preferences where all comp sci/ sci based courses, Visual Communcations/Design was my forth preference as I was pretty interested in it back then because I was just curious how it was all done and taught myself Photoshop during the HSC (equivlant to SATs I guess). I\'m actually pretty glad I fell into design, I think it was fate/meant to be, because my passion for it grew while I was at Uni. The course was heavily theory based and more about developing your ideas and concepts so there were a few essays and research projects. We were taught a few basics in each of the programs, but we were left on our own after that and it was up to us. So motivation is definitely a Key Factor. Though I found that with my course in the 3rd and 4th years my motivation went downhill because I felt I wasn\'t learning anything new, it felt repetitive to me. So a good course program is important as well. Though nothing beats industry experience and learning from others and meshing creative ideas, it\'s pure inspiration and passion. And while most of the work we do is design and corporate based or has an established branding, I still try to keep my mind rolling with the Arts side of things when I do personal projects or tutorials for new techniques.<br><br>If I were to go back to do it all again I\'d probably go to a college that specialised in design. I find that their classes are a lot smaller had have a \'studio\' sort of arrangement which make it easier going into the real world.<br><br>Great article by the way.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10717780">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10717780" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10717780" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-10717780" href="http://www.redrhinomedia.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">John W.</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10717780" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10717780" class="dsq-comment-message">I don\'t necessarily think school is just for the knowledge, but more for the interaction with other creatives and instructors that have been there and done that. I recently graduated from design school and I look back on the time spent there as more of a mentorship than school. I felt like I had a better idea of the design world because of school and all the interactions. And plus, school is the easiest way to start a network for the business world.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10738278">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10738278" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10738278" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-10738278" href="http://behance.net/exurban" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jayson</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10738278" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10738278" class="dsq-comment-message">I think it depends.<br><br>One thing that seems to crop up in literally every design discussion thread I see is the discussions all seem to revolve around freelancing and freelancers, or people that have grown into an agency career. As someone who\'s spent their professional life employed in in-house positions, I will say that 95% of them want a person with a degree, at least based on what I\'ve seen. The remaining 5% of them usually say something like a degree and 2 years of experience or 4-6 years of experience with no degree. Most are looking for Bachelor\'s level people, although I\'ve seen some that are asking for an associates (I\'ve seen a few that are asking for a Masters too!) I think this is because companies look at people in a risk-management sense and degreed people are may be considered less risky. That\'s just a guess though. I\'m not saying that it\'s right, or whatnot, just that if you\'re looking at in house jobs a degree seems to be a thing.<br><br>I\'m not sure how to put it, but it seems like while having a design degree isn\'t a big deal not having one is, if you know what I mean. I think a lot of us that went to school have this idea that a degree=a job. Colleges certainly do nothing to challenge the assertion. So when we\'re out in the world and not snapping up a job, you start thinking \'Why\'d I do this?\'<br><br>To digress a little, portfolio doesn\'t mean a job either. I find people have passed on me because I don\'t have any proven experience designing things that look like what they want designed.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10940115">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10940115" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10940115" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-10940115">exigent</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10940115" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10940115" class="dsq-comment-message">I say it all comes down to motivation.  Most TRULY creative individuals are constantly trying to achieve the next level of design. For many of us high school taught us little to no information about the fundamentals other than ROYGBV and CMYK and other terms in order to pass a test and get a decent grade.  College is more of a proving ground to see if you can cut it among your peers. A training ground for seeing how well you can deal with intense workloads of creative projects one after the next.  We are taught the rudimentary tools of the trade, but end up learning that great designers or artists will only truly come to being from hunger.  Hunger for knowledge and hunger for the abilities to create the art that dwells within us.  A way to create what is in our mind\'s eye.  <br><br>For those not easily motivated, but talented nonetheless, go to college.<br><br>For those who are immensely talented and establishing themselves in both connections online via twitter, facebook, various blogs, personal website galleries and clientelle in general, then I say go without college.<br><br>I would say at this time I would say that Yes... college is necessary in this day due to the existing owners and employers that have the old school ideal of college makes better. Yet with the internet exposure and tools / bastions of learning, talented individuals can circumvent this quagmire.  Many places of employment want to see the degree... no matter now talented you are, they search for your credentials first.  Solid portfolios are a must... but in many cases so is a 50k dollar piece of paper.<br><br>SO - Go to class, load up on coffee, go buy a beret and make PERSONAL connections with people from all walks of life.  Enjoy it, it will be the best 4 years of your life.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-10975411">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-10975411" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-10975411" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-10975411" href="http://www.crearedesign.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">rory</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-10975411" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-10975411" class="dsq-comment-message">Ive got a HND and BA Hons, personally I think the HND taught me everything I needed to know about the design industry and the degree just rinsed me of money...A few months into the degree I realised this but didn\'t want to give up because of all the money I\'d already spent on the \'education\'!<br><br>Guess it depends totally on your course, but mine sucked, and was taught by a bunch of pretentious dicks, who\'d rather have you queue up for 2 hour to talk to them rather than you go out and design. Bar the good friends I made, sex I had and quality drugs I took it was a big waste of time...the best daze of my life.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-11014492">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-11014492" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-11014492" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-11014492">Lacy</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-11014492" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-11014492" class="dsq-comment-message">I think it depends on the education you received. Your answer can vary just on that factor. I can say that I have learned some from experience and some from schooling. I have also learned that it is not always about where and how you learned your skills, but also how well you network and that your fully aware when an opportunity is staring you in the face. I graduated from a technical art school ( name withheld) and received a pretty shitty job doing photoshop exercises 8 hours a day, several months later. But, it was a foot in the door. I am currently working on a BA from a University in design, and feel now, 3 years later, I am simply working towards a paper, because I am already doing what I want to do, and getting paid well for it. However, it was an internship that really got the ball rolling, and my own motivation, and hours up all night spent learning CSS, coding, Flash, etc. I believe design fundamentals are hard to learn on your own. A formal education can really help you in that area. Technical skills can be learned primarily on your own. You don\'t need to pay an institution or university to teach you that. And your own ambition and determination is what will really ultimately define your career.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-11107477">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-11107477" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-11107477" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-11107477">Dennis</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-11107477" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-11107477" class="dsq-comment-message">A degree is essential.  Where else are you going to learn the fundamentals like perspective, spacial cues, contrast, hierarchy, focal point, typography, color theory, etc?  You can read as many books as you want but developing ideas in a classroom with an experienced instructor present, you quickly learn what works and what doesn\'t. That is where the value is in a degree.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-11438369">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-11438369" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-11438369" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-11438369" href="http://vectorlady.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Vector Lady</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-11438369" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-11438369" class="dsq-comment-message">No. You don\'t need any degree to be a designer.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-11438424">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-11438424" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-11438424" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-11438424" href="http://vectorlady.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Vector Lady</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-11438424" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-11438424" class="dsq-comment-message">For example in design studio <a href="http://turbomilk.ru" rel="nofollow">http://turbomilk.ru</a>  only one graduated designer. But there portfolio - rocks! =)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12063085">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12063085" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12063085" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12063085">J</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12063085" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12063085" class="dsq-comment-message">Not that we should all be so lazy but I find it so encouraging and reassuring to know that it is my motivation and and my drive to succeed that will get me through any challenge.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12073016">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12073016" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12073016" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12073016">dd</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12073016" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12073016" class="dsq-comment-message">love the sarcasm, sounds like bitterness . . .</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12271052">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12271052" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12271052" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-12271052" href="http://blog.exurban.net/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jayson</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12271052" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12271052" class="dsq-comment-message">Well it\'s possible to be really motivated, out there working and doing all the social networking crap and have it not pay off. There\'s never any sure things in life.<br><br>It does seem like any discussion like this always has a few people that will bring up the motivational aspect as a panacea for any challenge or issue in the field. I think it\'s a good attitude, but it doesn\'t necessarily represent any kind of \'mechanical\' answer to someone that can\'t find work.<br><br>But I don\'t agree that the question of a degree or not comes down to motivation. It\'s not illogical for someone who really wants to be some kind of commercial artist to think the best way to achieve that goal is formal education.<br><br>Right now it\'s an easy and understandable time to be a little bit bitter.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12951939">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12951939" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12951939" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-12951939" href="http://twitter.com/marybaum" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">marybaum</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12951939" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12951939" class="dsq-comment-message">I\'m hearing a lot of focus on design and getting a job - not much focus on education. And yet my parents both worked into their 80s - my father, at almost 83, is still going strong.<br><br>It\'s highly likely that the rest of us will work that long - a total career span of about 60 years. <br><br>Who knows what the technology will be then? That\'s a major reason the better programs teach concept and design, not technology. Technology is always ours to keep up with on our own - and generally, design profs are going to be teaching an old version. (I\'ve heard of courses that are still teaching web design with tables.)<br><br>But to fuel any creative career for 60 years? That takes ideas, and an idea of where to find those ideas and generate new ones, which is in the world.<br><br>And the place we learn about the world is not really in design classes. It\'s partly in the social experience of school, but it\'s really in those other courses we take to meet those pesky distribution requirements: literature, history, math, science, a foreign language or two.<br><br>Which is why I recommend not just a degree but a degree from a university - one with a great design school.<br><br>It\'s not just learning about the world - it\'s learning how to understand the world. To learn something about how it\'s put together - the math and science of it - and the people and ideas who have made it what it is today, in all its forms - the history and literature and politics, and the arts outside design.<br><br>And if there\'s one thing the social web should be teaching us all, it\'s that being a designer is no excuse for not being able to write clearly and coherently. (Or if it is - think how you can stand out by writing well!) What I\'ve found is that nothing helps us understand how our language works - all that grammar that sucked in eighth grade - like learning the grammar of a foreign language. Plus, it\'s the easiest way to get exposed to another culture, even if it\'s only twice a week at 10 am.<br><br>Finally, the images we encounter in those non-design courses are the source images for a lifetime of design projects. Right now none of us - age 18 or 58 - knows who the next client is going to be, or the one a year from now. Will it be hamburgers or biotech? We\'ve all seen the double helix of DNA a thousand times. But a college-level biology course will give that helix meaning and suggest design directions that would never have occurred to you if all you saw were two parallel spirals.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-16824710">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-16824710" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-16824710" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-16824710" href="http://www.eddieadolf.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Eddie Adolf</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-16824710" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-16824710" class="dsq-comment-message">Awesome article. I went to college for about a year and a half, then left. Prior, I knew a lot from teaching my self, and my high school had few graphic design classes too. When I decided to leave, it wasn\'t a hard decision. When classmates started asking me for help, and not the teacher, I had to question if I was wasting my time/money.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 </ul>\
';

(function() {
	
	





Dsq.Debug.profile(function() {
	if(Dsq.jsonData.request.page == 1 && Dsq.jsonData.request.is_initial_load) {
		Dsq.container.innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.header() + Dsq.container.innerHTML + Dsq.Templates.footer();
	}
	Dsq.$(Dsq.curPageId).innerHTML = Dsq.$(Dsq.curPageId).innerHTML.replace(Dsq.COMMENTS_RE, Dsq.CommentsHandler);
}); // Dsq.Debug.Profile

// HACK: Resetting cache because we're done with.
Dsq.Utils.gebiFromElementCollectionCache = null;


	
	
	var dsq_styleEl = document.getElementById(disqus_container_id);
	var dsq_anchorEl = document.getElementsByTagName('a')[0];
	
	Dsq.Thread.fc = Dsq.Utils.getStyle(dsq_styleEl, 'color');
	if(dsq_anchorEl) { Dsq.Thread.ac = Dsq.Utils.getStyle(dsq_anchorEl, 'color'); }
	Dsq.Thread.ff = Dsq.Utils.getStyle(dsq_styleEl, (Dsq.Utils.ie || window.opera ? 'fontFamily' : 'font-family'));
	// For Safari / Opera: strip quotes.
	Dsq.Thread.ff = Dsq.Thread.ff.replace(/['"]/g, '');
	Dsq.Thread.fc = encodeURIComponent(Dsq.Thread.fc);
	Dsq.Thread.ac = encodeURIComponent(Dsq.Thread.ac);
	Dsq.Thread.ff = encodeURIComponent(Dsq.Thread.ff);

	
	
	
	if(Dsq.$(Dsq.Templates.addPostContainer)) {
		// TODO: Check to see if theme uses postmessage.
		if (window.disqus_use_postmessage) {
			Dsq.frames['reply_0'] = new Dsq.ReplyFrame(Dsq.$(Dsq.Templates.textareaContainer));
			Dsq.frames['reply_0'].init(function() {
				// Use fallback iframe
				Dsq.$(Dsq.Templates.addPostContainer).innerHTML = '';
				var theme = (typeof disqus_frame_theme == 'undefined') ? 'default' : disqus_frame_theme;
				Dsq.Iframes.showReplyIframeInContainer(Dsq.$(Dsq.Templates.addPostContainer), null, {theme: theme});
				// if(Dsq.Utils.ie) { Dsq.Utils.fixIframesIE(); }
			});
		} else {
			// DEPRECATED
			Dsq.Iframes.showReplyIframeInContainer(Dsq.$('dsq-post-add'));
		}
	}

	
	

	
	if(document.location.hash != '') {
		document.location.hash = document.location.hash.substring(1);
	}

	Dsq.Popup.showCookieMsgs();

	
	if(document.location.search != '' && location.hash != '#disqus_thread') {
		var reply_id = Dsq.Utils.getRequestParams().dsq;
		if(reply_id) { document.location.hash = 'comment-' + reply_id; }
	}

	
	if((typeof OB_Script != 'undefined') && (typeof OB_versionNum != 'undefined')) {
		if(navigator.userAgent.indexOf("Firefox") != -1) {
			if(window.frames['dsq-reply-frame']) {
				window.frames['dsq-reply-frame'].location = Dsq.Urls.REPLY + (new Date()).getTime() + '&f=gomediazine&t=degree_or_no_degree&to_redirect=' + encodeURIComponent(window.location) + '&ifrs=' + encodeURIComponent(disqus_iframe_css);
			}
		}
	}

	if (Dsq.jsonData.integration.theme == 4) {
		if (Dsq.jsonData.realtime_enabled) {
			Dsq.Realtime.initialize();
		}
	}

	



	window.ExecuteWhen = (function () {
	var obj = {}
	
	// Private
	var running = false;
	var timer = null;
	var pending = [];
	var startTimer = function() {
		running = true;
		timer = setInterval(obj.heartBeat, 100);
	};
	var stopTimer = function() {
		running = false;
		clearInterval(timer);
	};
	
	// Public
	obj.add = function (condition, code) {
		pending.push([condition,code]);
		this.heartBeat(); //!
		if (!running) {
			startTimer();
		}
	};
	obj.heartBeat = function() {
		if (!pending.length) {
			stopTimer();
		}
		var newPending = [];
		for (var i=0; i<pending.length; i++) {
			var cond = pending[i][0];
			var code = pending[i][1];
			// FIXME: if cond or code throw an error, they never get removed from pending
			if (cond()){
				code();
			}
			else {
				newPending.push([cond, code]);
			}
		}
		pending = newPending;
	};
	return obj;
})();

// also used in embed_thread.js:
window.fbIsReady = function () {return window.FB && FB.init;};
// NOTE: This script gets executed again without threadEl
//       set when we are loaded again as the fbc_receiver.
//       In this case, we don't need the hidden container.

if(!window.FB || !FB.init) {
	if(window.Dsq && Dsq.container) {
		// container is not present when init.js is loaded from an xd-receiver iframe; in this case,
		// we don't need the FB_HiddenContainer anyway.
		var fbDiv = document.createElement('div');
		fbDiv.id = "FB_HiddenContainer";	// Required or else FeatureLoader will execute a document.write.
		fbDiv.style.position = 'absolute';	// This is intentionally not setting display to none as this breaks
		fbDiv.style.top = '-10000px';		// Flash in Safari.
		fbDiv.style.left = '-10000px';
		fbDiv.style.width = '0px';
		fbDiv.style.height = '0px';
		Dsq.container.appendChild(fbDiv);
	}
	var fbJS = document.createElement('script');
	fbJS.type = "text/javascript";
	fbJS.src = "http://static.ak.connect.facebook.com/js/api_lib/v0.4/FeatureLoader.js.php";
	document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(fbJS);

	ExecuteWhen.add(window.fbIsReady,
		function () {
			// HACK: This is a workaround FBC's single domain limitation by
			//		 allowing sites to create multiple forums with different
			//		 Facebook API keys.  This must be used in conjunction with
			//		 disqus_facebook_forum (see authenticateFacebook).
			var facebook_api_key = 'f4e151ca12a9f290469ad2f69db74864';
			if (typeof disqus_facebook_api_key != 'undefined') {
				facebook_api_key = disqus_facebook_api_key;
			}

			FB.init(facebook_api_key, window.facebookXdReceiverPath || null,
				{fetchSignedPublicSessionData: true});
		});
}


	


if(typeof(disqus_callback) == 'function') {
	var callback_params = Dsq.Utils.getRequestParams()['dsq_cbp'] || null;

	// We don't care about any errors in third-party code
	try {
		disqus_callback(callback_params);
	} catch (x) {
		if (typeof(console) != 'undefined' && typeof(console.log) == 'function') {
			// But it would be nice to let developers know about them
			console.log(x);
		}
		// pass
	}

	// HACK: We don't know if the callback wraps our container, which may
	// possibly result in a new DOM element.
	Dsq.container = document.getElementById('dsq-content');
}

})();




