Author: Fiona Lee (ITF)

As you’re thinking about your group projects, here’s a mapping tool that you might consider using.

Umapper is a web-based tool that allows you to create an interactive map that is embeddable on a website. In addition to marking your maps with points of interest and plot routes, it also allows you to insert images and annotations. You can even create a geodart game that allows your audience to interact with your map as a game.  You can also use a customized map instead of using online map providers like Google or Yahoo Maps.

Please feel free to contact me if you have an idea for a project, but are not quite sure how to carry it out. That’s why I’m here!

Here’s a tool for you to consider using as you think of responding to this week’s assignment.

Above is a screenshot of my youtube video, titled, “Body Language.” Notice the dialogue bubble? It pops up at 0:11 of the video. This is another way you kind provide commentary of your videos as you consider the question, “Is dance a language?”

If you’re taking photographs in public spaces in the city and someone tries to stop you (for example, a security guard of a building you’re trying to photograph), know your rights! Familiarize yourself with “The Photographer’s Right” by Attorney Bert Krages. Carry a printout of it with you and politely explain to the person stopping you.

Here is information about shooting photos/videos on NYC subways, which includes the legal and the practical and common sense. There will be NYPD/passengers who don’t know the law and NYPD who will ignore it and informed students should be ready to deal with that possibility.

That said, if you meet continued resistance despite having politely explained your rights, especially from the police, please back down immediately and calmly leave the situation. Common sense should always prevail and your first priority is to remove yourself from any dangerous or threatening situation. You can always blog about it and/or tell your professor or ITF about it afterward.

UPDATE: Instead of adding to the Multimedia page, please just post your unedited videos as a post, marking the categories “Dante Adela video” and “Established and Fringe Art.” You can see my video post here.

Sorry for the change of plans, but I think it’ll be easier if we did it this way. If you have questions, just email me.

I’ve created a new page, Multimedia, on which I’ve embedded Youtube videos of Thursday’s class with Dante Adela. You can access Multimedia on the top menubar of our website.

If you captured video footage that day with a flipcam or another device, I’d like to invite you to share your unedited videos with the rest of us by creating a Youtube video and embedding it on the page.

Since you have the option of responding to this week’s assignment in video form, this will give you a chance to create your own videos using iMovie. The point of sharing our unedited footage on the Multimedia page is so that you can draw from each other’s work in order to create your own. Of course you want to make sure to credit the camera person at the end of your video like the way you see in movies. So, if you’re embedding your youtube videos, be sure to indicate clearly that you are the creator of this video footage, as I’ve done on the Multimedia page. Please try and upload your videos ASAP so people have time to work on creating their videos.

I’ve created a set of tutorials on the various steps you’ll need to complete to do this:

How to publish your video from FlipShare to Youtube

You might also realize that in order to edit your flipcam video files on iMovie, you will need to convert your files. Here’s how:
How to convert .avi video files from your Flip Video camcorder to .mp4 files

Here’s how you can download video files shot by others (please always remember to attribute work by others that you’re using):
How to extract video files from the web

All these tutorials are published on the Technology Tutorials page.

You should have learned or will learn a few tricks on iMovie at Tech Fair. But if you need extra help, I will be keeping office hours on Monday, from 10-4. Please stop by to see me if you need help. I’m also happy to discuss possibilities for your group projects as well.

Recently, Raul had shared a link with us all in a comment to a post. As you can see, Prof. Weinroth added Raul’s recommended link on music to the front page, which will be easier for you to find for future use. I’ve now enabled you all to add your own links to the course website’s front page. To do this, on the Dashboard, go to Links > Add New and fill out the appropriate fields, making sure the appropriate category is checked.  It’s probably a good idea to write a post telling us about a great site that you’ve found, like Raul did, before you post the link so we know to look out for it.

I was browsing through out Media Library and noticed that there are some duplicate images uploaded to our site. I’ve deleted any duplicates, but in the future, make sure that you only upload the image once. If you made a mistake when uploading, make sure to delete the old one before adding a new one. This will help us conserve space.

Also, while you may use the Media Library to upload your images, the NextGen gallery is a preferred method if only because it allows you to keep your images in specific folders and makes it easier to keep track of where things are. Also, if someone else had uploaded an image that you want to use, you can easily locate it and use it, rather than upload a duplicate (case in point: the Hassam images).  Just follow the instructions posted here on how to upload images using NextGen: http://eportfolios.macaulay.cuny.edu/weinroth2009/class-site-faq/#uploadimage

I know this seems tedious (and that I’m being anal!), but I want to make sure the website is well-organized and works for all of you!

Hi students,

If you haven’t done so already, please sign up for a Tech Fair session (you only need to sign up for one). You can do so at the following website: http://eportfolios.macaulay.cuny.edu/techfair/registration/

Please take a moment to check that the email that you are using for Blackboard is one that you are regularly checking. To do so, just log in to Blackboard and click “Update your Email” on the left. Prof. Weinroth will be posting your grades on Blackboard and may use it to send you messages from time to time, so you want to make sure it’s functioning for you.

Since I have no access to your course Blackboard, I’m unable to give you assistance beyond basic instructions. Please consult the Hunter IT helpdesk if you are facing any issues with Blackboard.

Also, I’d like to remind you to change the display name on your Dashboard so that Prof. Weinroth can keep track of who’s posting what. Here’s how.

Enjoy your weekend!

“HAO JIANG TIAN: FROM MAO TO THE MET”

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 2009
7PM
Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College

*FREE*

Operatic bass Hao Jiang Tian unveils a new one-man show based on his memoir, tracing his steps from Mao’s Cultural Revolution to the stage of the Metropolitan Opera House. The performance is being taped for subsequent broadcast on PBS, and tickets are limited; to make reservations, send an e-mail to RoaringRiverProductions@gmail.com.

Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College
E 68th St (between Park and Lexington Aves)
212-772-4448

Subway: 6 to 68th St–Hunter College