Digital Technology and Culture

A blog for students and friends of Washington State University Vancouver's Digital Technology and Culture Program

Yellow Cat Gallery News

Yesterday the WSUV Marketing Department sent out a press release about the Yellow Cat Gallery. (See http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/news/releases/pl/yellow-cat-digital-art-gallery-launched/). that has drawn visitors to the site as far as Athens, Greece.

For those of you who have not yet "dropped in," the Gallery features art by DTC students. Among the forms you will find are machinima, video, and animation.

It is exciting to see our students' work get so much attention.


--Dene

posted by: grigar at 15:15 | link | comments |

Job Posting

New On-line position at The Columbian:

Brief Overview
The job will morph into an online advertising coordinator position who will be the prime contact between sales and creative departments and will be responsible for all web ad scheduling. Over time the person will negotiate CPM buys from national advertising agencies, help develop new web-based products and design the pages (as well as the ads) that will go there. They'd better be flexible, have a sense of humor but be firm on establishing value for online efforts.

Contact
Dean Abbot, Director of On-Line Services
360-735-4479
dean.abbott@columbian.com

posted by: grigar at 01:56 | link | comments |

Ten Worst Things to Say at Work--or School

This morning's article from Careerbuilder at CNN.com may be of interest to those of you about to graduate and move on to your career: The Ten Worst Things to Say at Work. Check out the whole essay:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/worklife/01/24/worst.say.at.work/index.html

I have to say that two of them are probably even the Worst Things to Say Anywhere for Any Reason. For example . . .

---

"I got so trashed last night ... "

You're probably not the only person in the office to indulge in a drink (or a keg) now and then, but you're probably the only one bragging about it to your boss. Although your night of binge drinking didn't force you to call in sick this morning, it can create the image of an unreliable partier who forgot to leave the beer bong in the dorm room.


"I just didn't have enough time for that."

In case you didn't realize, everybody's pretty busy these days. When your boss asks you to do something, chances are it's not really an option. If your main concern is accomplishing the task on time, Lampton suggests you explain the situation. Mention how busy your schedule is but that you can accommodate the request if some other projects are moved around. You'll show that you take each assignment seriously and only want to turn in your best work.

----

Anyway, the article is well worth a read for anyone out there who has to deal with the daily grind of making a living.

posted by: grigar at 15:30 | link | comments (2) |

Congrats to Nancy

As she finishes up her final requirements for graduation, Nancy Kettler (Senior, DTC) landed a job from February until May 2008 blogging about technology at Experience.com.

Check it out: http://www.experience.com/alumnus/channel?channel_id=technology&page_id=home

Congratulations, Nancy!

--Dene

posted by: grigar at 15:51 | link | comments |

Philosophy underlying the DTC

Those of you taking my DTC 375 "Language, Texts, and Technology" course this semester have already seen this. But others in the DTC Program have not. But posted below are seven points that make up the philosophy underlying the DTC Program––and, I would add, most digital media programs that focus on the production of media objects. I have put this list together from various readings in the field. So, each point is linked to a specific source.

What has drawn me to this exploration was the need to understand how the DTC Program was different from other disciplines, particularly those in the Humanities. As some of you know, I spent 12 years on faculty at a university in Texas, working in an English department and teaching a few courses for the Women's Studies Program (feminist cyberculture, feminist theories). I was struck by the differences in approach toward and views of technology and wondered what was driving these differences. Two years in a post doc program in the media arts helped me understand more deeply the basic tenets of digital media. Synthesizing this information, I came to these points:

1. A computer is not a tool or prosthesis that helps us to accomplish something; rather, it is the medium in which we work. (Oliver Grau, MediaArtHistories, 2007 )

2. The medium affects the message. (Marshall McLuhan, The Medium Is the Massage, 1967)

3. Text is any form of information by which we communicate an idea, feeling, or concept. (Mats Dahlstrom, “When Is a Text Text?,” 2002 )

4. Digital media are material texts. (N. Katherine Hayles, Writing Machines, 2002)

5. Criticism of digital media should be specific to digital media and relies on the sensory modalities of the body for that critique rather than abstract ideas or theories. (N. Katherine Hayles, Writing Machines, 2002)

6. The artifact of new media is just as important as the process it took to produce it. (Jan Van Looy & Jan Baetens, Close Reading New Media, 2003)

7. New media involves an interdisciplinary/transdisciplinary study of art, science, and technology (Edward Shanken, "Introduction to Telematic Embrace", 2003 )––and, I would add here, the Humanities.



In devising this list, I am not saying that others are wrong in their approach to their field. Rather, I am simply trying to make sense of the differences. As students an interdisciplinary program like the DTC, it is important for you guys to understand that each discipline, each program, has its own way of seeing the world, of doing things, like criticism and research. And in knowing these differences you can get a better sense of how you fit into the academic environment you find yourselves currently in as well as will fit into your own field one day.

posted by: grigar at 16:24 | link | comments |

Pirate's College IS Back with a Vengence

Ahoy, you Maties, Pirate's College is back again this semester with two very cool workshops for you. Those new to the DTC Program may not know it yet, but Pirate's College are workshops taught by students or anyone with a particular expertise. It takes education out of the hands of authority and into those who want it.

On Friday, February 1 from 9-11 a.m., in VMMC 115, tech wiz Greg Zschmoler will teach "Whiz-Bang Power Point," a workshop that promises to show the magic that Power Point can do.

And on Thursday, February 28 from 10-noon, in VMMC 111, librarian extraordinaire Maria Schenk will teach a PHP workshop.

Seating for all workshops held in the multimedia labs is limited to 24 people. A sign up sheet will be available starting tomorrow, Tuesday, January 22, outside of John Barber office door, located NOW at VMMC 202G.

Arrhg.

posted by: grigar at 22:44 | link | comments |

Announcing the Yellow Cat Gallery & Media Lounge

On Wednesday, January 16th at 4:15 pm, the Digital Technology and Culture Program at Washington State University Vancouver launches the Yellow Cat Gallery & Media Lounge, the online student showcase of digital media art by students in the DTC Program. January's artists include works by Nina Westerberg, Kyle Ralston & Matthew Grammer, Sarah Campeau & Kristen Weigand, and Mike Gowans.

Besides monthly exhibits in the Gallery, future plans include student-produced podcasts of interviews with visiting artists, music, live broadcasts via links to internet radio, and special events to be held in the Media Lounge.

So, drop by and catch some of the media authoring projects produced by our students: http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/programs/dtc/gallery/.

posted by: grigar at 15:24 | link | comments |

Job Posting

Two Jobs:

1. JobX is available here: http://www.studentjobs.wsu.edu/JobX_Home.aspx

Web Production Assistant
Job ID: 6947
Job Type: Off-Campus Jobs
Employer Name: Formations Design Group

Category: Technical (Web)

Job Description: Assist senior web development team with building static and dynamic websites for small business and corporate companies. Develop web pages using specifications and graphics supplied by employer and from client provided content.

Job Requirements: Be proficient in HTML and CSS coding. Helpful to have experience with Adobe Dreamweaver and Fireworks. Familiar with PHP or CFM server languages.

Hours: 12.0 to 24.0 hours per week


Compensation: 14.00/hour to 22.00/hour, Depends on Experience
Time Frame: Temporary
Campus Location: Vancouver
Contact Name: Bruce Wilson
Email Address: bwilson@formationsdesign.com
Work Location: Company office Downtown Vancouver, WA
Phone Number: 360-694-0060
Fax Number: 360-694-8759
How to Apply: Email resume to above email address. Include in your resumé or cover letter your skill level and server languages you are familiar with.

2. Can you wield mystical powers of organization? Do you possess a certain prowess that causes important documents and administrative work to bow down to your every command? Are you amused by a diversity of people and their needs, even though their actions seem only to make the huge pile of paperwork in front of you grow larger?

Free Geek is a 501(c)(3) not for profit community organization that
recycles used technology to provide computers, education, internet
access and job skills training to those in need in exchange for
community service. Free Geek was founded in 2000 to recycle computer
technology and provide low and no-cost computing to individuals and
not-for-profit and social change organizations in the community and
throughout the world.

We are seeking a highly-motivated organizational mastermind who enjoys a
casual and chaotic work environment. If you think you have what it
takes, please visit our website for details, including instructions on
how to apply:

http://www.freegeek.org/jobs

posted by: grigar at 05:19 | link | comments |

Spring Semester Is Upon Us

Does anyone else find the notion of a "spring semester" beginning in January odd? Coming from Texas as I did last year, it could indeed be spring on January 7th. True, winter returns in February, but mostly it is more of a wimper than a growl. But here in the Pacific Northwest, spring, in terms of a semester, is mostly wishful thinking. So, with such hope in all of our hearts, let me relay information about the new semester to you all . . .

Since John Barber and I arrived, we have made a ritual of offering Orientations in the fall and Town Halls in the spring. Spring 2008 is no different. So, all of you DTC majors and minors––or anyone flirting with the idea of becoming one or the other––you should make plans to attend the DTC F2F: Spring 2008 Town Hall. Because most of you are busy working, raising families, and juggling a full load of courses, we offer two different evenings for you to choose from: Wednesday, January 16 from 4:15-5:30 p.m. in VMMC 22 and Thursday, January 17, from 4:15-5:30 p.m. in VMMC 6. Think of the event as a combination of a mixer and information session. Refreshments will be served since it is that time of the evening when folks need sustenance.

What makes the DTC Program special is that it aims to teach critical thinking skills so vital to the Humanities *as well as* skills vital to attaining (and keeping) a job. So, it should come as no surprise that during February when all of you are busy learning theory and practice in your courses, you should also be preparing for the Career Fair that we are working with Student Services to put on for you. On Friday, January 18 you should make plans to attend the Resume Writing Workshop taught by Brian Rauscher. And you should also plan to attend the Fair on Thursday, February 21, from 4-6 p.m. So invested is the DTC Program in this concept of helping you find a job that we are sponsoring a special Reception for companies attending the Career Fair so that we can help them understand the special talents and skills you are learning in the program that makes you an excellent candidate for hiring.

New DTC-ers may not yet be familiar with the term, but Pirate College should make several appearances this spring. We are thinking a workshop in PHP and another podcasting workshop that follows up on what was taught in the fall would be handy.

You should all be aware of the new feature on the DTC website: The Yellow Cat Gallery and Media Lounge, a new online showcase for student work. It will makes its debut in time for the Town Halls.

Finally, the summer schedule, the Spring Newsletter, and an updated course rotation will be online at the DTC Website on January 7th.

See, and you thought we were on vacation:)

--Dene Grigar

posted by: grigar at 22:46 | link | comments |