Digital Technology and Culture
A blog for students and friends of Washington State University Vancouver's Digital Technology and Culture Program
Name: Dr. Dene Grigar
This blog is maintained by Dr. Dene Grigar, WSUVancouver. Contact me at grigar@vancouver.wsu.edu
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Don't forget John Barber's lecture on Thursday, 11/2 at noon at VMMC 1. See below:
This image explains visually how the motion tracking lab I am building at WSUV works.
But let me explain the process to you.
You see in the picture two labs. One is mine at WSUV and the other is Steve's at UVic. Looking at me in my lab, you can see infrared cameras mounted at each corner on light trees. These cameras are pointed down into a performance space. I am standing in the performance space with infrared trackers in my hand. The cameras pick up signals from these trackers and send information to the PC sitting on the table.
This begs the question: What information do the cameras send?
Well, information regarding my location in the room. To put it simply, the space in the lab is conceptualized as a 3D grid, and the computer can calculate exactly where I am standing in that grid because the trackers tell the cameras and the cameras tell the computer.
Once the PC in my lab has that information, it sends it to Steve's via a central server. Steve's computer reads my data.
Hold that thought for a moment, and we will come back to it.
While my PC is sending data to Steve's PC, it is also sending data to my Macintosh, which houses all of the media elements Steve and I have loaded in it. The data triggers a response from the Mac depending on where I am in the room. Why? Because the room is organized into zones, and when I walk into a zone with a tracker, the media programmed in that zone are evoked. This means that if I program a video clip in the middle of the performance space about 2 inches from the floor, I can evoke that video clip when I step into that zone and move the tracker into that part of space.
Going back to the data my PC is sending Steve's . . . his PC gets my information and then sends it to his Macintosh. Because our labs are calibrated to be exactly the same, the media element I evoked is also evoked in his lab. So, he sees the video clip, too.
If you think that is complex: Steve is also moving around with his trackers and evoking his own media elements. His cameras are picking up his movements and sending the data to his PC. And Steve's PC is sending that data to my PC via the central computer. And my PC is talking to my Macintosh, which causes the Mac to evoke the exact media element that Steve has evoked. So, for example, if he moves into the zone with the red lights programmed five feet from the ground, I will see that same red light in my lab at pretty close to the same time as he does in his (that is how fast the networks are working).
This means that Steve and I can perform together at a distance via high speed networks. We call this telematic collaboration.
Media elements include, by the way, light, sound, images, video clips, music, spoken word, and animiation. So, essentially, we can put on an entire live light show, musical performance, video installation, etc. at-a-distance or stage a multimedia performance together in the same space.
At the Open House I hope for us to perform clips from Virtual DJ, Steve's sound and light show. More about that later. . .
The new motion tracking lab that the university is building for my research is in the last throes of construction. Next week the computers go in and get tested on the system. My collaborator Steve Gibson (who spoke at the DTC Student Orientation) will be back with Justin Love, his graduate assistant, on November 10th, and together the three of us will calibrate the lab. Once this step is completed, I can begin to use the lab to develop Steve's and my next piece, which is an exhibit for OMSI: a live, interactive game environment that falls into multiple categories like "exergame," "non-zero sum game," "serious game," and "narrative, first-person game."
I am telling you this news for several reasons.
First, most undergraduate students do not know what faculty do beyond the purview of the classroom experience. You see us lecturing or facilitating a class discussion, you know we make up and grade assignments, and you are pretty sure (most of the time) that we prepare for class by reading the same assignments we give you. But what a lot of students don't know is that faculty at Tier One institutions like WSUV are committed to three, what I call, "pillars of academe"––and Teaching comprises only one of them. The other two are Research and Service.
When faculty are evaluated each year, we must prepare a portfolio that shows evidence that we engage in good, innovative teaching practices; solid research; and ongoing service to the university and the community. If we don't, we do not get tenure or get promoted and, depending on the institution, we don't get raises. So, this lab I am building represents the future of my research, something I love to do, am committed in doing, and what I must do ethically to uphold the "pillars."
Second. Beyond the research scope of the lab, I aim to utilize it for teaching. For example, to develop the piece for OMSI, I want to train students interested in game development to help me. So, in the spring when I am scripting the piece with Steve (who will be working with me at-a-distance online via webcam technology), I will encourage students to join us and learn how to script games, how to conceptualize 3D space, and how to work with performance-installation art. And next fall when I teach Time Based Media (FA 434), I plan to hold the class in the lab so that I can utilize its facilities to teach you how to work with video and other elements involved in Time Based Media.
Okay, third. Having such a lab associated with the DTC is a plus in terms of prestige. If you look online at other digital media/technology programs, you will see that they have multiple kinds of labs and studios at the disposal of faculty and students––and that they are used for collaborations with galleries, museums, and other spaces that garner for the program and its students much notice in and around the community. Students in programs like that have an edge on jobs and graduate programs because students get hands-on experience in project management, conceptualization, design, and programming. The OMSI project is intended to provide that kind of experience for students.
So, those are three reasons I am excited about the lab. And I hope you are, too. On Tuesday, November 14 Steven, Justin, and I will be performing in the lab in a kind of Open House that you all will be invited to. That is also the day that the OMSI team is coming to WSUV to see the lab and meet Steve and Justin. I will be posting more information about this event as the date nears. And in the next weeks I will continue to explain to you about the lab. In the meantime, you can go to the URL below and watch a short video clip that demonstrates how the motion tracking and web cam technologies work.
http://www.nouspace/dene/VDJ_Net_level3.mov
In the video Steve is in Canada at UVic and I am in mine in Denton, TX where I was before moving here. We are performing "Virtual DJ," a sound and light piece Steve created and has performed around the world. We are, however, performing the piece together over the internet at-a-distance. So, it is unique in that it is a "networked performance".
Remember that Fall Advising begins on Monday, October 23. During that time you will meet with your advisor to plan your course work and set goals for your future. To help facilitate decision-making, I have put documents in the "Links" section of the blog that may be helpful to you. They are:
1. Course Rotation.
This document lists all of the courses related to DTC and shows when each will be taught for the next three semesters. The DTC has never had a document like this one, so I am still working on the best way to present this information to you and to guarantee course work that you can count on being taught. This is not easy since so many of our courses come from other disciplines. For that reason, there will be slight changes to this plan until we all can get use to this kind of long-term scheduling for the DTC.
2. Spring 2007 Schedule.
This document lays out all of the courses offered this spring related to the DTC. It shows the times courses are taught, who is teaching them, special designations associated with the courses, and finally the kind of course it is (i.e. Core, Core Option, Multimedia Authoring Strand (MA), Informatics Strand (I), and Culture and Technology Strand (CT). We have tried like the devil to make sure DTC courses do not overlap one another and the Fine Arts courses--and the English courses whenever possible.
**Special Note: Steve Lakatos' Digital Music will be under the DTC 338 prefix and number . . . but I only got the course through LAST WEEK. This means DTC 338 is not yet showing up in the registration system. Digital Music is currently listed in the MEANTIME as DTC 476 "Digital Literacies." Sign up for that course and, then, when 338 comes online, *we* will change you over to it.
3. DTC 375 Handout.
I have prepared a special handout for DTC 375 (Language, Texts and Technology) for those of you thinking of signing up for the course. It shows the textbooks and subject matter. I will be posting one for Digital Diversity this weekend for you as well.
If you have any questions about advising, courses, or your future in the DTC, contact me at grigar@vancouver.wsu.edu.
--Dene
Today I found out probably the most disturbing news of my life. What I found out is of profound effect to all people and will likely have a major impact on all of our lives in the future. I found out that our fine president, kept lowercase as a sign of disrespect, in his infinate wisdom has decided to take away Habeas Corpus. Now I am sure many of you have heard this within the last few weeks, as it took place fairly recently.
This is important to all of us because any one of us can now be imprisoned for any reason what so ever, with out trial, without a lawyer, and for any length of time. Now while this may be a knee jerk reaction to the dismissal of an Amendment to the Constituition of the United States, but I am stunned that our representatives allowed this law to pass. If the Military Commissions Act of 2006, is not challenged in the Supreme Court then we may as well just give up all of the rest of our rights.
Remember that Fall Advising begins on Monday, October 23. During that time you will meet with your advisor to plan your course work and set goals for your future. To help facilitate decision-making, I have put documents in the "Links" section of the blog that may be helpful to you. They are:
1. Course Rotation.
This document lists all of the courses related to DTC and shows when each will be taught for the next three semesters. The DTC has never had a document like this one, so I am still working on the best way to present this information to you and to guarantee course work that you can count on being taught. This is not easy since so many of our courses come from other disciplines. For that reason, there will be slight changes to this plan until we all can get use to this kind of long-term scheduling for the DTC.
2. Spring 2007 Schedule.
This document lays out all of the courses offered this spring related to the DTC. It shows the times courses are taught, who is teaching them, special designations associated with the courses, and finally the kind of course it is (i.e. Core, Core Option, Multimedia Authoring Strand (MA), Informatics Strand (I), and Culture and Technology Strand (CT). We have tried like the devil to make sure DTC courses do not overlap one another and the Fine Arts courses--and the English courses whenever possible.
**Special Note: Steve Lakatos' Digital Music will be under the DTC 338 prefix and number . . . but I only got the course through LAST WEEK. This means DTC 338 is not yet showing up in the registration system. Digital Music is currently listed in the MEANTIME as DTC 476. Sign up for that course and, then, when 338 comes online, we will change you over to it.
3. DTC 375 Handout.
I have prepared a special handout for DTC 375 (Language, Texts and Technology) for those of you thinking of signing up for the course. It shows the textbooks and subject matter. I will be posting one for Digital Diversity this weekend for you as well.
If you have any questions about advising, courses, or your future in the DTC, contact me at grigar@vancouver.wsu.edu.
--Dene
If you are reading this blog and are a WSUV student majoring in Digital Technology and Culture who is planning to graduate in the fall 2006, please leave me a comment below providing your name.
Likewise, if you are reading this blog and are a WSUV student taking courses in the DTC Program but have not yet been certified as a major, please leave me a comment below with your name.
****In both cases, you can use only your first name and the initial from your last name to ensure privacy.
I am trying to get a picture of the number of students in the program for the spring.
--dene
You can sign up for these courses for Spring 2007! Advising starts October 23. If you want to more about these offerings, contact Dene Grigar at X69487.
I want to give you all a heads up about Digital Music (Engl 497).
Engl 497 is a course entitled "Special Topics in Digital Technology and Culture. I am planning to offer a host of courses under that prefix. Digital Music, Video Production, Electronic Literature, etc. Digital Music is being offered spring 2007.
But you are not seeing it in the spring schedule. Do not panic. It will be there! Here's the story:
497 was new course that was supposedly put through the university channels last year. But even though it showed up on the Advising Plan I was given when I took the position, it really had not been submitted to the university. So, once I found this news out, I began working on a fix on the problem.
497 will temporarily be entitled 338 until next year when the university allows formal changes. DTC 338 should be listed in the spring schedule by the time you guys begin meeting with your advisors on the 23rd. I am working on the paperwork now––it is due on Friday by noon.
So, take Digital Music, MW 1:25-2:40, taught by Dr. Steve Lakatos.
A recent article on CNN.com reports that MySpace is organizing 20 concerts aimed at raising money for Sudan. You can read the article here:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/internet/10/09/myspace.sudan.ap/index.html
Those of you who are taking or have taken Digital Diversity may recognize the idea that we can harness computers and energize those who have mastered them for the purpose of bettering society, socially and politically.
I find this news an interesting juxtaposition to what I read yesterday about YouTube (the news is still resonating in the media today): It is selling to Google for $1.6K.
Perhaps the former owners of YouTube will be inspired by the work of MySpace––and the Gates Foundation and other successful companies––to put some of that hard-earned money to the common good.
Students in the DTC Program will be meeting at the Hazel Dell Starbucks on 78th and 99th (right next to Fred Meyer) at 6:30pm to carpool to
First Thursday. Contact Jennie Martin at (360) 798-6110 for details.
Here is a link to a guide to the monthly event: http://www.firstthursdayportland.com/.
I would like to make this activity a monthly field trip. Thank you, Jennie, for pulling this month's together!
I have put new links on the blog that lead to downloads for the "DTC Course Rotation," "DTC Spring 2007 Schedule," and the "DTC Fall 2006 Newsletter."
I am still adjusting courses, course numbers, and times––and most likely will be for the next few days. You will find, for example, that "Time-Based Media" has been moved to Fall 2007. I did this because each fall the Portland Institute of Contemporary Arts puts on a 17 day festival on Timed Based Art. I did not know this information when I first began working on the Spring 2007 Schedule. It seems a no-brainer to offer a course on the subject at the same time as the festival. Right? In its place, I put "Language, Texts, and Technology," which I will teach. And we are adding FA 331 "Art and Its Relationship to Technology," a required course for all DTC majors, to the spring line up. We are currently looking for a good time to add it. So, be aware that a new schedule will be posted in the next day or two, reflecting that course.
But we have a line up of terrific classes for you in the Spring. This means that we will hold to the prescribed course loads and not allow overages until all classes are filled. So, if there is a particular course you want or need––especially if you are planning to graduate in Spring 2007, please make sure you get advised and sign up early for it.
Those of you planning to take Digital Music with Steve Lakatos may want to make a mad dash to that class. It will fill up fast.
--Dene
It is difficult to post this note on the DTC Blog because it is difficult to know how to say what I need to say. Those of you who knew Michelle Kendrick, the Program Director of the DTC and one of the founders of the program, can attest to her strength of character and vision. Those of you who did not get the chance to work with her can simply look around and see evidence of those things: the MMC building, the labs, the program major––these are all her doing. If you are part of the program, you are here because of her. So, it is difficult for me to tell you all that she died on Saturday after a very long battle against cancer. There will lbe a memorial for the WSU community at a later date. I do not yet know when the funeral will take place. When I find out, I will post it here on the blog.
On Tuesday I am putting in the mail a letter to all DTC students reminding them of advising times, introducing spring courses, and providing information about programs and projects in the works.
Many of you came to Orientation and, so, got some of this information at that event. But since Orientation, we have finetuned the schedule and the course rotation, put the finishing touches on the Internship plan, and booked some special events. All of this information will be in the letter.
Additionally, beginning mid-week, all information pertinent to the program will be found in the "Links" section of this blog. You will be able to download materials needed for advising, for example. I am doing this so that the DTC Program can be more attentive to students' needs and to build a community of DTC professionals.
--Dene
