A D V E N T U R E S in C Y B E R S O U N DModern Journalism and The Internet
Search this site End of Semester Lecture for the course Radio / TV: News and Current Affairs delivered to 3rd Yr. Journalism Students, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Monash University, Gippsland Campus, Victoria, Australia Date: Wednesday June 4, 1997, 1400 - 1700 Hours.
A Brief Introduction to the Internet - 35 mins
Military to University to Tim Berners Lee to Marc Andriesson
Basic terminology - 15 mins
home page - the 'front door' of your web site - menu, welcoming screen etc URL - Uniform Resource Locator - ie site address http - hypertext transfer protocol ftp - file transfer protocol browser - text only (LYNX) or graphic (Navigator / Internet Explorer) interface to decode the internet transfer protocols HTML - Hypertext Mark Up Language GIF - Graphic Interchange format - best for line art JPEG - Joint Photography Experts Group - best for photographs AIFF or AIF - Audio Interchange File Format - sound playback WAV - Windows Audio Video Quicktime and Quicktime VR - video playback modem - modulator de-modulator ISP internet service provider server - under the bonnet zipped file(s) - compressed file(s) SEA - self expanding archive eMail - electronic mail News and news groups netiquette - 'net' etiquette
Basic equipment - 5 mins
modem - 28.8 kbs (kilobits / sec) minimum, 33.6 kbs if possible connection (ISP) - cost against service, reliability browser (and possibly authoring) software costs, computer, modem, isp, software
Where's it going - 5 mins
Recommended reading - George Gilder: Life After Television
What can we expect in the coming two to five years - 5 mins
Real time audio, video and interactivity at speeds we currently expect from CDROMs - then essentially instantaneous - 18 millisecs. Net Computers (NCs) attached to TV sets - a throwback to the dumb terminal with all the power at a central point- ie telephone
Broadcasting vs Narrowcasting - 10 mins The original thought behind radio as we currently know it, was point to single point communication. It was simply seen as a 'wireless' and thus more flexible version of wired telephony as had become commonplace in the late 19th century. Technologists such as Lee De Forest (the inventor of the 3 element thermionic valve which gave us electronic amplification) also saw the possibility of 'broadcasting' as we know it today. This at the time novel idea of point to multi point communication took on immediately and the notion of 'broad' casting cemented itself into society for the next 80 or so years. If we take the concept of broadcasting literally, it sees the originator of the program content distributing that content to essentially an unknown audience, hoping that like the seeds cast in the field, some will take and grow. This then meant that content, to have the greatest impact (and return for the advertising dollar) needed to be publicised (published schedules and frequencies) and those schedules and frequencies religiously adhered to. Thus 'broadcasting' came to mean that at a given time, on a given frequency and for a given time period, a known program could be guaranteed to be heard eg., the news. It also meant in the above case, the content and bias of the content delivered was determined by the 'broadcaster' not by the audience. They had to (and still do) have to accept what was (and still is) on offer or at best, switch to another station offering a different though not necessarily satisfying viewpoint. Let's come from a different standpoint. Let's decide on the content that we want to hear (or see for that matter) and also decide at what time it suits us to listen to (or view) that content. The 'broadcaster' will gradually mutate from being a 'blind' delivery system to that of a gatherer of raw information. This information is 'tagged' with searchable 'metadata' and we the consumer or client, at the time we have chosen, can then request a 'narrowcast' of that information. It's not hard to see the Internet model here (albeit in a very primitive form) and essentially that's what we are doing when we 'surf the Web', we are seeking and then most often requesting a 'narrowcast'. The bias will still be there (both ours and the 'narrowcaster') but with the almost infinite choice of viewpoints available, from individuals as well as conglomerates (made possible via the simple and inexpensive mode of delivery) the days of "the time is 7 o'clock and here is the news, our news, the way we want you to hear it and tough luck if you tune in late" are soon to be gone forever.
Web Page Design - 25 mins Tools - 5 mins
WYSIWYG editors as against straight HTML - for and against - discuss
Design - 5 mins
How powerful is your server. What is the typical 'surfer's' screen size not yours The anti scrolling argument White space Are you in a 'can't see the wood for the trees' situation - too much 'glitz'
Content - 15 mins
weight line length paragraph length
Sound - WAV, AIFF Multimedia (animation) - Shockwave, Flash Video - Quicktime
Digital Production - 20 mins
DAT
Tascam DA 30 - DAT Mastering Recorder Tascam DA 88 - Digital Multitrack Recorder
Media 100 - Small Business / Professional
Reference Titles - 5 mins SYPHA publishes three annual print titles and an occasional email newsletter. Each provides a unique in-depth analysis of a particular technology not found in any other broadcast, video or audio trade publication. The Internet for Broadcasters - a guide to technologies, case studies and resources. ISBN 0-9517826-7-3 210x297mm 92pp - September 1996 - US $29.95
The technology and management articles have been written by industry pioneers and experts, and cover not only the future impact of the Internet on broadcasting, but also current practical concerns and considerations. The case studies give an invaluable insight into the experiences of traditional TV and radio stations which are using the Internet, as well as examples of the new breed of Webcasters. The Internet Resources Directory is provided to help with the maze of services and products available on the Internet. It lists Web sites and email addresses for equipment suppliers, service providers, information sources, publications and organisations, as well as newsgroups and search facilities, all of interest to broadcast, video and audio professionals. The Nonlinear Video Buyers Guide - a guide to nonlinear editors, hybrid editors, news editors, disk recorders and video servers. ISBN 0-9517826-5-7 210x297mm 108pp - September 1995 - US $34.95
The information provided includes target markets, hardware and software specifications, operational features, EDL/data file management, networking and media file import/export, training and customer support, future development plans, typical configurations, costs and suppliers details for USA, Europe and the Far East. For convenience, The Guide is divided into three main sections - general purpose editors, news editing systems and random access storage devices. Useful advice on assessing storage requirements is also provided. The Tapeless Audio Directory - a buyers guide to digital audio workstations, multitrack and cart replacement units, and radio automation systems. ISBN 0-9517826-6-5 210x297mm 112pp - April 1996 - US $24.95
Applications include post production, multitrack/mixer replacement, editing, CD mastering, multimedia, cart replacement, live assist, full broadcast automation, and news distribution systems. The information provided includes target markets, hardware and software specifications, operational features, networking and file transfer, archiving and backup, future development plans, training and customer support, typical configurations, costs and suppliers details for USA, Europe and the Far East. In addition, a comprehensive explanation of the terminology is provided, with useful tips for potential purchasers. Suppliers Wharfdale AV - Tel: +61 9 470 1533
Digital Presentation - 15 mins
Digital Transmission - 5 mins
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This is the only title about the Internet specifically for broadcast, video and audio professionals. It aims to give a clearer understanding of what is currently possible and what is likely to happen, and includes technology and management articles, case studies and a directory of Internet resources.
The 2nd edition gives details on over 250 products. It covers online and offline systems, including turnkey and hybrid (mixed media) systems, cards and software packages and random access disk recorders and servers.
The 5th edition provides details on more than 300 products. It covers the whole range of professional tapeless audio systems, from card and software packages to comprehensive turnkey systems.