Wiki Reflection

I did my media specific analysis on iMovie. I’ve had a pretty significant interest in video creation and editing for a while, so I was excited to be given the push to pursue it with a little more depth. During the research phase of the project I consulted a lot of blogs, video tutorials, and even Wikipedia entries to learn more about certain effects or features. Now that I’m a much more educated user of video editing software, I’m the one actually posting my knowledge to a Wiki.

After first looking at the old Wiki entry, I knew my main task was going to be updating the information to match the current version of iMovie. I know the Wiki was just created last year, but Apple is updating its iLife software very rapidly. The previous version had many criticisms that may have pushed Apple a little to come out with a new product to resolve some of the complaints. Apart from adding the new information in about the latest iMovie ’09 program, I also added a few things to other areas.

The home page for video editing needed a little pick me up as well. While another member of the group spearheaded the main changes with the home page, I created a new image to be used there. Ironically I actually used one of the other programs from the media specific analysis project, Foto Flexer. This was a great way to directly pull something learned from the class and use it right away in the class again. The previous picture on the home page for video editing was just an icon from an old version of iMovie. I took icons from multiple video editing software programs, such as Flash, MovieMaker, iMovie 09, and Avidemux, and used Foto Flexer to create a collage of icons for the new image for the home video editing screen.

While writing to the Wiki I noticed I was subconsciously trying not to include any emotion or bias in my descriptions. This was a bit challenging as I quickly realized how opinionated I have become. It was difficult not to abuse almost everything created for Windows/PC and hard not to subliminally praise Apple. I even found myself pointing out every flaw in the previous iMovie versions with more than just factual statements. This writing style was different for me, but I wanted whoever read it to have impartial information. I guess I was trying to write a Wikipedia-like entry with honesty and integrity…and who says its not good to cite wiki entries.

Now that I’ve successfully updated and posted information to the Wiki, the learning circle for me is complete. Its up to someone else now to read about the technology, learn it, use it, and then revise the Wiki. I thought updating the Wiki was a very good way to wrap up everything we’ve done with the media specific analysis. It keeps the production of knowledge moving along.

Mobile Mob Pranks

I haven't heard too much about protesters using mobile technology before, but I have heard about other groups using cell phones or text messages to pull elaborate pranks. The idea is pretty similar to the protests, but the result is completely different. Instead of protesting for a cause, the groups are simply providing comical enjoyment (and sometimes a small disturbance) to passers by. I wish something like this would be organized in Madison sometime. It would be neat to be a part of, just to see how quickly things change and the ability of the group to react.

Easybib

I'm still trying to think of good April Fools pranks while writing this, guess they'll have to wait until next year...

Just finished my annotated bibliography and wondering how I could have ever made a bibliography without Easybib or some other automatic bibliography generating site. It makes life so much easier. I can't believe I used to have to look up MLA styling for separate sources and make sure I had correct punctuation. Thank you Easybib

Its nice to finally be back on a subject that doesn't involve me getting frustrated with the program (lexia). Idhe is a little easier to get your hands around. My main thought on his classifications between hermeneutic and embodiment is that almost everything I can come up with can be in both categories. I understand how to classify them, but it seems that some technology can even transition from one to the other as you use it. Take the cane for the blind man. While we said it was an embodiment example, I'd challenge it to say it started off as hermeneutic. He had to adapt to the cane at first before it became part of hime, so to speak. Somewhere along the line it became less of an object and more an extension of the arm. Any other items you can think of that fit under both categories, or transitioned from one to the other as they were used?

Perplexed?

Is anyone else thinking that Lexia to Perplexia is completely useless? I sure am. I've clicked around on that site for a while and still don't see any usefulness to it. I hate to say it, but I think that the creator wasted his time. Seriously, what benefit does it give anyone? Even if I wanted to read all the text/writing on the site I couldn't. Most of the time the words are obscured by other images or being overlapped by other words from different columns. I don't know, this is just my opinion. Just to be safe though, no more perplexing by lexia for me...

Hmmmm...

I'm not really sure what to write about this week in here. I've been spending my class time working on a video in iMovie for our projects. Its kind of addicting and I find myself spending way too much time tinkering around with little transitions, effects, and other functions.

We've been spending a lot of time reading texts around a main idea that technology is making life better, more streamlined, or more efficient in some way. While I totally agree with this, I'd also also rebut back by saying that technology also takes up a lot more of my time. So much so, I'd actually say I'm wasting time. Playing with iMovie for a while, before I realize that hours have passed is a perfect example of this. I also wonder how much time I'd save if I wasn't watching so many YouTube clips. Maybe I'd learn a lot more if I didn't bring my laptop to my lectures just to stalk friends on facebook. The list of examples continues, my point exactly. How do you choose to waste your day with technology?

The Soup

We started talking about The Soup last week and I just could resist. Willard Scott is hilarious.