Syllabus!

Here it is. Don't get too excited ;-)

No Class Wednesday... but homework!

Please have an outline of your project idea(s) by the next meeting on September 13th. I expect to see two weeks worth of work of some kind: research, planning, prototypes, rough versions, etc.

In the meantime here's a bit of reading:

Virtual Campus

Real Politics in Virtual Space

How to build a 10 minute podcast (Eric Rice)

Guitar Whiz makes it big on YouTube

7+ million views - check out the article. The power of internet video in all its glory.

"Like a celebrity sex tape or a Virgin Mary sighting, the video drew hordes of seekers with diverse interests and attitudes. Guitar sites, MySpace pages and a Polish video site called Smog linked to it, and viewers thundered to YouTube to watch it. If individual viewings were shipped records, “guitar” would have gone gold almost instantly. Now, with nearly 7.35 million views — and a spot in the site’s 10 most-viewed videos of all time — funtwo’s performance would be platinum many times over."

Practical Class Info

Some Practical Info

Supplies
- Headphones are very useful and required for audio work in the lab.
- Blank DVD-R disks for backup and presentation. Do not rely on Lab drives to store your work – it may be deleted at any time.
- Highly recommended but not required: 20-60+ GB Firewire Drive.


Lab Issues

Storage space: There is a good deal of storage space on the Lab machines – but no guaranteed storage. Project files are often deleted by other students or lab assistants. To make sure your files are secure, back them up and take them with you either on CDR, DVD-R, or a firewire drive (recommended). Late or missing projects related to missing, deleted, or damaged files will not be accepted.

Regarding the Mac & OSX: This course requires an intensive use of the Macintosh platform. If you are unfamiliar with Mac OSX it is highly suggested you spend time early in the semester to familiarize yourself with the OSX environment. Unfamiliarity with the platform will not be accepted as an excuse for any problem.


Equipment Checkout

Video Cameras, Microphones, Portable Audio Recorders, Tripods, and learning materials such as DVD’s and books are available from the lab attendants.

Checkout Rules:
- Take care of the equipment. If you are unsure how to use something, ask Professor Terry or one of the lab attendants.
- Return the equipment on time personally to a lab attendant or your check out privileges may be revoked for up to 2 weeks.
- Return cameras with batteries fully charged.
- You may not take equipment off campus without prior permission of the professor.
- See lab attendants for other requirements.


Contact Information

Email: dean.terry@utd.edu
After 9pm Dean Terry can often be found in Second Life as Blake Yang or Blake Wake
SKYPE ID: dean-terry
Office: Art Building (972) 883-6285
Hours: 10 – 11 AM Tuesdays or by appointment
Note: The best time for a quick meeting is immediately after class at 6:15 in the Mac lab.

Books

Required Books

The Long Tail by Chris Anderson

Synthetic Worlds by Edward Castronova

Naked Conversations by Robert Scoble