On The Desktop is devoted to information of interest to those working in the fields of TV, Film, and Multimedia. It includes commentary, news, tips, publication links, announcements, and other resources that have recently come across the editor's desktop.
SOUND BITES: NEWS AND INFORMATION
More mapping from Google. Google Earth, a new, free download from the Mountain View, California, firm, takes the Google Maps service into multiple dimensions. Instead of presenting top-down views of maps or satellite photos, this software (based on a program called Keyhole that Google bought last October) wraps those high-resolution satellite photos on a three-dimensional model of our planet's land surface that recreates every molehill and mountain, then lets you eyeball the scenery from any angle you wish. The program is available in a beta-test form for Win 2000 or newer. Source: Washington Post. Read Full Article.
MSN Virtual Earth. Geographers, urban planners, and those with a penchant for the spatial always enjoy knowing as much as they can about a given locale, and they especially enjoy knowing about spatial relationships in a given locale. For those aforementioned persons, MSN's Virtual Earth website will be one that is quite worthy of numerous visits. Drawing on detailed aerial photographs of the United States, visitors can look at photographs of their home, their business, or a local sports stadium. Visitors can also type in city names, and zoom in on various features at their leisure. A real treat is offered by the tabs feature, which allows visitors to look for local businesses, such as book stores and pharmacies in any given locale. A "scratch pad" also keeps track of recently visited destinations as well. All in all, this site can be both quite helpful and, at times, somewhat addictive. Source: Scout Report.
Global Voices Online. Many public interest media organizations are concerned about listening to the voices and opinions of those around the world, particularly in the developing world. One such group is the nonprofit global citizens' media project, Global Voices Online, which is sponsored by the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at the Harvard Law School. Its ultimate goal is "to foster better international communication and understanding between ordinary citizens of different countries, using internet, wireless and radio technologies." On the project's well-designed homepage, visitors can access compelling blogs from dozens of countries around the world and view profiles of persons working in a variety of important fields related to these emerging technologies. Another very important aspect of the site is the area dedicated to Podcasts from around the globe, including those offered by Ahmad Humeid in Jordan and several interviews with Chinese bloggers. Source: Scout Report
NYU Student Work Examples Online. New York University is known for its excellent film and media programs. Examples of student work can be seen on the Internet. At the NYU web site you can play student videos and also learn about program offerings.
WebVisions Winners. A panel of Web and interactive design professionals judged entries for the WebVisions Student Competition which were then exhibited at Portland State University. The finalists were selected and they were announced at the conference, WebVisions 2005, on July 15, 2005. Each entry was judged on design, usability, technical merit, innovation, overall value and creativity.
The Winners
1st Place: Jackie Templeman, The Legendary Billie Holiday.
Portland State University and Portland Community College.
2nd Place: Wolfgang Metzner, Slappyvalley.
Thesis design school, Germany.
3rd Place (tie):
Keith Mitchell, AIGA Chapter Website.
Art Institute of Portland.
Travis Rice, Datosyn Design Portfolio Site.
Portland State University Multimedia Professional Program.
Michael Wells and McKenzie Kerman, Onslaught.
Northwest Academy High School.
Technology Review. An online supplement to the MIT publication Technology Review, provides a rich resource on the latest in technological developments. Includes a web log with commentary by MIT faculty and TR contributors. The site also provides forums for discussing TR articles, weekly polls, and more.
Inventor of the electronic synthesiser dies. Dr Robert Moog, the inventor of the electronic synthesiser, has died of brain cancer aged 71.
His synthesiser, which bears his name, revolutionised music from the 1960s onwards, and was used by bands like the Beatles and the Doors.
Today, the electronic manipulation of sound is a ubiquitous feature of popular music. This was not always the case, and Moog was one of the pivotal pioneers of synthesised sound. Source BBC. Read More.
Special NY Times section on Technology and Youth. A recent edition of the New York times has an informative collection of articles about youth and technology that is worth exploring if you design and develop media resources children and teens.
- Packing for the 'Net Generation' by John Schwartz. Cell phones and iPods may be the gadgets most likely to be spotted on today's college campuses, but students are also adding digital cameras, fully loaded laptops, superblenders and even backpacks with hydration kits to their must-have lists
- Tough Course: The Calculus of Cell phones. If your young collegian doesn't yet have a cellphone, or is interested in switching plans or carriers, rejoice; the cellular shopping game has recently become much more interesting
- The Gadgets They've Got, and Why They Got Them by Laura Randall. Five students talk about the gear they're bringing to the dorm and why they chose it.
- New Tools: Blogs, Podcasts and Virtual Classrooms.By Ethan Todras-Whitehill Podcasts, blogs and virtual-reality sites are creating entirely new ways to teach.
- Laptops and Desktops: Basics, Bells and Whistles. By Wilson Rothman. Fortunately, the major computer vendors are hungry for your business. These days, if you know what you want in a computer system - and don't become distracted by the hot rods - you can strike bargains.
- From Virtual Keyboards to Hidden Storage, Little Extras That Help. By Eroc A. Taib. Believe it or not, some high-tech accessories can actually improve the educational experience. Here is a shortlist of some of the newest accessories that could pique a student's interest.
- Where's Johnny? Smart Cards and Satellites Help Keep Track by Lisa Guernsey. Schools are upgrading video cameras in and around school buildings (and sometimes in buses) to enable real-time monitoring in remote offices.
Open2.net. The Open University and the BBC have teamed up to create this very informative online learning portal that draws on the strengths of both organizations. The Open2.net site contains several primary sections, including those dedicated to providing online learning content, discussion forums, and broadcast programs on television and radio. The learning section of the site includes a section where visitors can learn how to make their own catapult and find out about the geology of the British Isles. In the "Open2 Today" area, visitors can learn about the programs featured that day. The moderated discussion forums also provide access to additional debate and discussion on topics brought up by some of the primary programs, including those on the English language and migratory birds. Source: Scout Report.
Making the rounds. This piece has been appearing on numerous web sites and personal e-mails. It is one of those fun thought pieces that suggests a new way about problem solving and viewing the world. We thought readers may enjoy it. The source seems to be anonymous.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.
He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the liquid into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - God, family, children, health, friends, and favorite passions -- things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house, and car.
The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.
"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "There is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you."
"So. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first -- the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."
Items from The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2005.
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