ultimedia Information & Technology
vol 34 no 3 August 2008 Missn 1499-90X http://mmit.willco.com
MoLI’s Chairs and Spirits p93
Flanagan’s Cartoon p93
HD Opera From Round the World p68 Multimedia Information & Technology vol 34 no 3 August 2008
Contents
MmIT vol 34 no 3 Aug 2008 Features The Story of MoLI’s Chairs and Hummingbird p67 the Spirits Ceara McCurdy and Sarah McMichael p93 with a cartoon from Flantoon Regulars
News 67 Hummingbird Smart Tech HD Opera From Round the World Orphan Works Winston Churchill Fellowships Creativity and Learning from Adobe The Berlin Wall OCLC and Google Bookmycourse Fogscreen Orphan Works p73 Best of the Blog 77 War Child Emerald Online The Urban-Rural Digital Divide e-Learning from the BCS
Reviews 81 Library Management Organising Knowledge Web Accessibility
DVD & Video News 86
Product Review 89 PlusTek Flatbed Scanner
Technology 91 Smart Technology Deep Web Searching p73 WikiREADia Alternatives to Google Free Writing Resources
MmIT is published quarterly by the Multimedia Information & Technology Group of Cilip, and appears in print and electronic formats in February, May, August and November. Copy deadlines are the first of the month preceding publication. For all enquiries, contact the managing editor, Lyndon Pugh, at 45 Gwenllian Morgan Court, Heol Gouesnou, Credits this issue: Cover Blue Acoustic Systems With Red Computer Brecon, Powys LD3 7EE Deligodin, Sydney Opera House Radim Spitzer; this page Allen’s Hummingbird [email protected] Naturesdisplay; p67 World Map Sebast1an; p68 Opera House and Harbour or tel 44 (0)1874 610412. Bridge Sydney Yongliang Wang, Communication Satellite Dennis Thompson; The editorial board is: p69 Broadband Connection–Technology Background Triggerjoy; p70 Berlin Wall Anthony Hugh Thompson (Chair) Stephen Stiling; p75 Cosmic Connections Radu Razvan; p77 World Enveloped [email protected] by Net Jenny Horne, Fight On Soldier Penny Mathews; p78 Internet Chat Nyal; Lyndon Pugh (Managing Editor) p79 Global Broadband Norebbo, Graduation Cap, Books and Computer Flashon Alun Jenkins (Finance Manager) Studios; p80 Virtual World Sebastian Kaulitzki; p85, Web Button Raynald Bélanger; [email protected] p85-86 BFI; p88 Film Education; p89-90 Plustek; p91 Hard Drive Mehti Pasha Olwen Terris [email protected] Oskooie, Spider’s Web Kevin Curran; p92 The computer monitor Frolov Andrey; Kevin Curran [email protected] p93 Cartoon Mike Flanagan; p94-96 MoLI. Agency Dreamstime.com Unusual Applications
New Technology
Resources
HD Opera
Hummingbird
UK Broadband Code of Practice Real Time Collaborative Adobe For College & Learning From Hummingbird School Op e n Te x t TM Co r p o r a t i o n , a global leader in enterprise content management (ECM), has announced that Hummingbird®, the Open Text Connectivity Group, has signed a preferential pricing agreement with Eduserv, the not-for-profit, professional IT services group. This will allow colleges, universities and research laboratories in the UK to purchase the OCLC – Google latest Hummingbird product, Exceed Freedom™, at a significantly reduced price. The agreement will enable these institutions to use advanced remote access software and Exchange services they would have otherwise been unable to afford. Located in Bath, UK, Eduserv’s mission is to help learners, researchers and their institutions in general to capitalise on the benefits of information and communications technology which will support collaborative learning. Antenna Wire the Berlin Chest, the licence negotiation and management service, offers preferential pricing for software and data licenses on behalf of UK universities, colleges and other institutions Wall engaged in educational or research activities. 97% of UK universities and colleges benefit from at least one Chest agreement, once again enabling many to obtain software which would normally be beyond their budgets. Hummingbird has been participating in the Chest programme for 15 years, with Exceed®, Training Resources NFS Maestro™, HostExplorer® and Connectivity Secure Shell™, connecting Online students, researchers and academics to people, Hummingbird® connects people, data and applications, and helping them to data and applications in work more effectively. mission-critical environments The agreement between the companies SMART Technology through its remote expands the service, by including the newest application access and data product, Exceed Freedom, in the Hummingbird integration products. With 90% of product portfolio. Colleges and Global 2000 companies using its universities which have been relying on Orphan Works products for over 20 years, Exceed to connect to UNIX hosts and perform Hummingbird understands the scientific research and academic studies can financial and operational challenges now also acquire Exceed Freedom through which most organisations face, whether Chest at reduced rates, thanks to Chest’s shared Winston Churchill it is multiple systems, service model. disparate data sources or “Both Eduserv and Hummingbird have a Fellowship geographically dispersed teams. thorough understanding of the needs of higher For more information about educational institutions, which we’ve gained Hummingbird, go to: through close cooperation with colleges and http://www.hummingbird.com. universities over the past 15 years. We are Fogscreen very happy with the relationship we have with Eduserv and look forward to working
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Open Text, an enterprise software company and leader in enterprise HD Opera From content management, helps organisations manage their business content. Working with customers and partners, it helps Around the World organisations capture and preserve organisational memory, automate processes, reduce risk and manage compliance. For more information, visit http://www.opentext.com.
Eduserv is a not-for-profit, professional IT services group with the mission to realise the benefits of IT for learners, researchers and the institutions which serve them. Eduserv achieves its charitable mission through the provision of sustainable services and funding research and development. Services include secure access to online resources, licence negotiation and management, web hosting and content management. Trading surpluses are used to support work across the education sector. Ar q i v a , t h e b r o a d c a s t comm u n i c a t i o n s infrastructure company, UK-based but increasingly working world-wide, has completed its second season of live High Definition (HD) transmissions of The Met: Live in HD into European cinemas. The 2007-8 season played to capacity European audiences, and ended with Donizetti’s La Fille du Regiment in the with them for years to come,” said Eugene Spring. Audiences throughout Europe have enjoyed another opportunity of watching the Cherny, the General Manager of stars of the Metropolitan Opera in High Definition TV. Hummingbird. “Adding Exceed Freedom The Atlantic Bird 1 satellite provides the live HD signal, which is then re-transmitted to the mix of products offered in the Chest via the Intelsat 10-02 and Atlantic Bird 3 satellites for live distribution into cinemas across programme will give these institutions Europe. The programmes are overseen by a staff member of the Metropolitan Opera, acting access to world-class software and services as a link with Arqiva’s staff. which is essential to furthering the The broadcasts are subtitled for local audiences, and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound is education of future generations.” used. There are live interviews and special features. All the content is saved for future use For more information on the programme by Arqiva. offered by Hummingbird and Eduserv, go Performances transmitted by Arqiva included Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, Humperdink’s to: Hansel and Gretel, Verdi’s Macbeth, Puccini’s Manon Lescaut, Britten’s Peter Grimes, http://www.hummingbird.com/eduserv_ss. Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde, Puccini’s La Bohème and Donizetti’s La Fille Du Regiment. Exceed Freedom 2008 helps learners and Arqiva is based in Hampshire, with other major offices in London, Buckinghamshire and researchers to collaborate on projects in Yorkshire. It has ten international satellite teleports, over 60 other manned locations, and real-time. around 3500 shared radio sites throughout the UK and Ireland, including masts, towers and With new UNIX desktop sharing rooftops from under 30 to over 300 metres tall. Major customers include ITV, Channel 4, capabilities, Exceed users can now share Channel 5, the BBC, BSkyB, Classic FM, the five UK mobile operators, the RNLI and the their UNIX desktop environments and Metropolitan Police. Go to http://www.arqiva.com. applications with others over any geographical distance, easily and securely. Exceed Freedom also helps organisations improve communication, reduce waiting time, and accelerate business development and processes. Workers who need to be mobile can use Exceed Freedom to use UNIX application environments wherever they are based, gaining easy access to the same UNIX desk- top and applications from any location. Exceed Freedom preserves users’ work, and keeps valuable data alive in the event of a sudden loss of power or network connection. This significantly reduces down time and productivity loss. For more information about Exceed Freedom, please visit: http://www.hummingbird.com.
68 News UK Gets a New Voluntary Broadband Code of Conduct From OFCOM
A n e w Co d e o f Pr a ct i c e to ensure that internet service providers (ISPs) offer greater clarity over customers’ broadband line speeds has been published by Ofcom. Some 32 ISPs, covering over 90% of broadband customers, have already agreed to honour both the letter and the spirit of the Code. The intentions are to give consumers a clearer understanding of the speeds they can get, and to ensure that they are on an appropriate broadband package. Ofcom is concerned that consumers could be misled or misinformed when choosing their broadband services by ISPs advertising headline speeds which are higher than users can receive in practice. Their own research has shown that issues covered by the Code, it will consider consumer satisfaction with ISPs has fallen introducing formal regulations. Current Signatories over the last year. The Code can be found at: http://www. To gain a clearer picture of the issue, ofcom.org.uk/telecoms/ioi/copbb/copbb/. Ofcom is also undertaking the UK’s most In addition to this activity, Ofcom will AOL Broadband authoritative and comprehensive broadband consider whether to extend the Code, or BT Total Broadband speed survey. develop another Code to cover mobile Eclipse Internet This will identify actual broadband broadband services. Exa Networks performance across the country, and Ofcom has also launched a programme of Firefly Internet establish whether or not it has any independent research to identify the actual Freedom2Surf relationship to advertised headline speeds. performance of broadband for consumers. Greenbee Broadband Steps which fixed-line ISPs will be This is based on a representative sample of Karoo required to take if they sign up to the users across the country, and will identify MacAce.net voluntary Code include: how broadband speeds and other quality Madasafish of service measures vary according to a Netplan Internet Solutions Ltd • Providing customers at the point of number of factors, including region, choice Nildram sale with an accurate estimate of the of ISP and by time of day. O2 Business Broadband maximum speed which the line can The survey will use a sample of over O2 Home Broadband support, whether the sale is in the shop, 2,000 residential broadband connections, Orange Home over the internet, or on the telephone; which will be attached to specialised Pipex Homecall • Resolving technical issues to improve monitoring equipment. Pipex Internet speed, and offering customers the It will run over a six month period, and Playlouder.com choice to move onto a lower speed involve tens of millions of speed tests, PlusNet Broadband package when estimates given are thereby providing the most comprehensive Polestar Interactive Ltd inaccurate; survey of actual performance across the UK Pro-Net Internet Services Ltd • Ensuring all sales and promotion staff which has ever been conducted. Sky have a proper understanding of the On this basis, it will be possible for Solutios products they are selling so they Ofcom to establish an accurate picture of Surf Anytime can explain the speeds properly; the provision of broadband, and ensure TalkTalk • Providing consumers with information consumers are aware of the potential TalkTalk Business on usage limits and sending out alerts limitations of advertised broadband speeds. Tiscali when these have been breached. Ofcom expects to publish a market report on Toucan broadband speeds later in the year. UK Online Ofcom strongly urges all fixed-line ISPs to Ed Richards, Ofcom’s Chief Executive, Virgin Media sign up to this Code, and to implement it in set out the organisation’s objectives for the Waitrose Broadband full within six months of signing. UK when he said: Zen Internet For all signatories, Ofcom will monitor compliance, including through the use of Broadband is a thriving market in Go to http://www.ofcom.org.uk/ mystery shopping exercises, to determine if the UK. We want to encourage real telecoms/ioi/copbb/list/ for the ISPs are meeting both the letter and spirit of clarity for consumers about the actual updated list, and http://www.ofcom. the Code. broadband speeds they can receive. org.uk/telecoms/ioi/copbb/bbfaqs/ If Ofcom finds that this voluntary This voluntary Code is a significant for general advice on speeds. approach is not effective in addressing the step in this direction. 69 MmIT vol 34 no 3 August 2008 Creativity and OCLC and Learning From Adobe Google
Ad o b e h a s a n n o u n c e d a n u m b e r of initiatives which will help schools, colleges and Agreement on universities to deliver engaging learning experiences across their curricula. Several special programmes, which will provide users with industry-leading Adobe software at low prices, are now available. For schools, Adobe® Creative Suite® 3 School Site Licenses Data Exchange offer an affordable way of providing teachers and students with Adobe software. For more information, go to http://mail.adobe-direct.com/r?xJPWHlWEcJvTHEPcHTPcP. While Th e d i s co v e r y o f l i b r a r y collections mastering the software, students and their teachers can also earn recognition of their digital through Google search services will be media skills through Adobe Certification Programmes, with more information at http:// facilitated by a data exchange agreement mail.adobe-direct.com/r?xJPWHlWEcJvTcEPcHTPcn. recently signed with OCLC. Institutions seeking to embed the use of technology and the development of creativity Under the terms of the agreement, OCLC across the curriculum can make use of the Adobe Digital School Collection. Go to http:// member libraries participating in the Google mail.adobe-direct.com/r?xJPWHlWEcJvTJEPcHTPcT for details. This software suite is Book Search™ programme, which makes only available through volume licensing. the full text of more than one million books In the university sector, the same opportunities to take advantage of Adobe’s creative searchable, may share their WorldCat- options also exist. Adobe has sponsored a unique filmmaking programme for students, derived MARC records with Google. This which is available at http://mail.adobe-direct.com/r?xJPWHlWEcJvTlEPcHTPcv is intended to improve the access to library and is called Reel Ideas at Cannes. Flex£ Builder£ 3 Pro (http://mail.adobe-direct. collections through Google. com/r?xJPWHlWEcJvTPEPcHTPcW) is now available free for teachers and Google will link from Google Book students, after registration on the website. The Adobe Student Edition Programme Search to WorldCat.org, which will direct is now available at up to 80% discount, with details at http://mail.adobe-direct.com/ search queries to library OPACs and other r?xJPWHlWEcJvTnEPcHTPcq. Finally, Adobe Acrobat®Connect Pro7 will support course library services. Both organisations will design, provide live, on-demand personalised learning environments and offer content share data and links to digitised books, creation, deployment and tracking within existing learning management systems. Go to which will make it possible for OCLC to http://mail.adobe-direct.com/r?xJPWHlWEcJvTTEPcHTPJH. include the digitised collections of OCLC member libraries in WorldCat. Jay Jordan, OCLC President and CEO, said:
The agreement will directly support Walls Have Voices in the interests of OCLC’s participating libraries by broadening access to library collections and services thus making them more widely available Berlin – and Antenna on the Web. We are pleased to join a partnership with Google in pursuit of our mission to connect people to Th e Be r l i n Wa l l has its own voice. Using Thus, the tour covers Checkpoint Charlie knowledge through international library a GPS system and pocket PC audio guide, and the Brandenburg Gate amongst other cooperation. visitors to Berlin can trace the history of places.Even more ambitiously, they have the wall. Antenna Audio’s (http:// www. also covered the inner city, providing a WorldCat metadata will available to Google antennaaudio.com ) latest installation is one walking route which extends over a larger directly from OCLC, or through member of their most interesting. Previously featured distance. The project also has significance libraries of the Google Book Search in a number of issues of Multimedia for the further enhancement of GPS programme. Google recently released Information & Technology, including a mapping. an API which provides links to books in report on their installation on the SS Great Google Book Search by using ISBNs, Britain in the February 2007 issue, this time LCCNs, and OCLC numbers. they have been responsible for providing an The API allows WorldCat.org users audio guide to the Berlin Wall. to link to some books which Google has Pinpointing key areas of the wall, the scanned through a Get It link. Discovery Tours Wallguide is delivered via The link works both ways. If a user finds Antenna’s pocket audio guide – a feature a book in Google Book Search, a link can previously used in many other locations – often be tracked back to local libraries but enhanced for this development through through WorldCat.org. integration with a GPS mapping system. The new agreement enables OCLC Antenna recorded a network of routes to create MARC records describing the through the city, suitable for traversing on Google digitised books from OCLC foot, and therefore carefully selected to be member libraries, and to link to them. walker-friendly. These linking arrangements should help The old route of the Berlin Wall is increase the use of libraries, both online and retraced with an eye to incorporating into by users calling in person. the tour some of the evocative geographical locations where particular events took place. This agreement will help libraries,
70 News
Google and OCLC to provide content searchers want, at the point of need — through the Web. It will increase the visibility of libraries, and will facilitate access to libraries’ collections from Google or WorldCat. said Chip Nilges, Vice President, OCLC Business Development. John Wilkin, Associate University Librarian for Library Information Technology and Technical and Access Services, University of Michigan, was also enthusiastic, saying
OCLC’s efforts to bring together information on digitised content will be significant for users, making it possible to find, in one place, what has been digitised, where that content is, and the relationship of one version to others. We’re excited by this major step forward.
The new agreement between OCLC and Google is the latest in several partnerships between the two. In the immediate future, OCLC will be working with other organisations to include digitised content in WorldCat, and the fruits of this collaboration will be seen in the coming months..
Founded in 1967 Ohio, OCLC is a nonprofit library service and research organisation providing computer-based cataloguing, reference, resource sharing, eContent, Boo k m y co u r s e is the UK’s first website Environment, Human Resources & preservation, management and Web services where users can locate, compare and book Training, IT & Computing, Quality & to 60,000 libraries in 112 countries and top quality training courses nationwide. Improvement, Sales and Marketing and The new pioneering website saves specialised training. hours of endless searching, telephone calls Courses relevant to multimedia include and information gathering. The site has the range of Adobe software, Autocad, What it Means been developed to identify and evaluate Dreamweaver, Final Cut Pro, most of the the new arrangement, training events offered by the very best relevant Microsoft suite, QuarkXpress, involving sharing of providers, across a raft of disciplines Web Design including HTML, XML WorldCat Marc records nationwide. Uniquely, enquirers can book and XHTML, and web authoring and with Google will improve and confirm directly online with the training development. access to library collections via Google. organisation. General introductions to IT are also Entrepreneur Trevor Healey, creator of available, and in all sectors there is a wide Google will share data and links to Bookmycourse explained: choice of providers. digitised books with OCLC Courses in Business & Management Whether you are a company looking for cover the standard areas, and there is some Digitised collections of OCLC training courses for your employees, or overlap with Human Resources. Prices member libraries will appear in you are an employee seeking to develop range from less than £100 for a day’s WorldCat your career, finding the right course is training to around £2000 for longer events. time consuming. We realised that there The website is easy to use, with courses was a huge gap in the market for a site quick and easy to find. The database can be that would help find the most suitable interrogated by course type, location, price course, in the right location, across a or date. territories. OCLC and its member libraries range of disciplines. Bookmycourse A novel feature is that the search engine worldwide have created and maintain bridges the strategic gap, using fully will even calculate travelling distances and WorldCat. assessed, high quality training providers times automatically. with a vast number of courses available WorldCat.org is a Web destination with search at many locations, and all accessible on Bookmycourse is fast, simple and a and social networking features, which allow one website. unique one-stop shop to satisfy training users to discover, localise and personalise needs. To search, find and book a course content from a library’s collections and those Bookmycourse is intuitive, easy to use go to http://www.bookmycourse.co.uk. of more than 10,000 WorldCat libraries and offers a variety of courses including Training providers interested in becoming globally. For more information, visit Business & Management, Finance, Law & part of this revolutionary site should http://www.oclc.org. Accounting, Health, Safety & the call Trevor Healey on: 01933 233884.
71 MmIT vol 34 no 3 August 2008 SMART – The Technology for Creative Online Training
SMART Te c h n o l o g i e s n o w offers its free sessions have given me many unique have access to a comprehensive new online training to SMART customers in five teaching ideas, so the possibilities gradebook. The software now integrates languages, and toll-free access is available of how I use SMART products have seamlessly with Notebook™ collaborative in more than 70 countries around the world. multiplied exponentially. learning software, and enables teachers to More than 15,000 English-speaking teachers add questions to lesson activities easily. and corporate users have already received Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s CEO Existing Senteo customers can upgrade to training on SMART products through the explained: version 2.0 at no charge. online training facility since it became “The enhancements we are making to the available four years ago. We know the importance of providing Senteo interactive response system reflect SMART has now expanded its training our customers with convenient, our commitment to improving the quality of service from English-only to English, instructor-led training. As the adoption the interactive experience in the classroom,” French, German, Portuguese and Spanish. of our products accelerates in said Knowlton. “The new features of the Implementing these languages across an classrooms and meeting rooms around system offer teachers greater tracking and extensive range of training sessions gives the world, we want to ensure that our reporting capabilities, allowing them to SMART the most comprehensive and customers have quick, easy access to keep easy-to-read, accurate records for each accessible online training programme in the free training when they need it – it’s student.” interactive whiteboard product category. part of our service commitment and All Senteo interactive response system 1.0 Education and corporate customers in part of what makes us different from users will be able to upgrade to version 2.0 Zurich, Paris or Mexico City can, for our competitors. at no cost by visiting http://www.smarttech. example, learn how to get started with their com/support/software. SMART Board™ interactive whiteboard in SMART’s free online training has been Meanwhile in Oregon, USA, Michael their own language. available to customers since the early Giesen, a SMART user, has been named SMART online training sessions are Spring. More information, a calendar National Teacher of the Year by the Council conducted via telephone and SMART’s of forthcoming sessions and connection of Chief State School Officers and was own Bridgit™ conferencing software. The instructions is at http://smarttech.com/ recognised by President George W. Bush sessions offer a 30- to-60-minute overview trainingcenter/online/index.asp. during a ceremony at the White House on of SMART products, delivered by trainers SMART Technologies have also upgraded April 30, 2008. who use SMART products every day. to the Senteo™ interactive response system, The award is the highest honour an SMART leads the education market with the improved version available since educator in the United States can receive. segment with specialised sessions on last month. After being designated the Oregon State creating interactive lesson activities The Senteo interactive response system Teacher of the Year, Geisen was awarded with SMART Notebook collaborative 2.0 increases one-to-one interaction in the a technology package from SMART learning software. In addition, sessions classroom by enabling teachers to monitor Technologies, including a SMART Board™ (approximately 180 each month) are offered each individual student. Enhanced tracking 600i interactive whiteboard system, on a dozen topics, including introductions to functions include a full-featured gradebook, an AirLiner™ wireless slate, a licence the SMART Board interactive whiteboard, which keeps a record of each student’s for Bridgit™ conferencing software, a Sympodium™ interactive pen display, results on all in-class assignments. Teachers computer-lab licence for SynchronEyes™ AirLiner™ wireless slate and Senteo™ can sort, organise and monitor student classroom management software and an interactive response system. New York grades and run detailed reports. The system unlimited school site licence for SMART Maths teacher Dan Robinson said: enables names to be tagged with keywords Ideas™ concept-mapping software. which indicate core attributes, such as As part of his mandate, Geisen will spend With SMART online training sessions, gender and language spoken. the next year travelling around the country my level of understanding is reaching In version 2.0, extensive improvements sharing his teaching successes at different beyond anything I could have ever to the tracking, reporting and analysis education events. His message for other anticipated. The SMART training functions have been made, and teachers will educators is to strive to find the balance
72 News
it is used as a collaborative tool as it allows students to bring their thoughts and ideas together. As part of his mandate, Geisen will spend the next year travelling SMART Technologies has also announced around the country sharing his that its new Unifi 45 projector is now teaching successes at different compatible with its popular SMART Board education events. His message for 500 series interactive whiteboards and the other educators is to strive to find 660 model, creating a high- performance the balance between integrated system. Although SMART content-driven teaching and discontinued the SMART Board 500 series creativity while honouring the in 2005, more than 330,000 educators based humanity of children. primarily in the United Kingdom and North He uses music, visual arts, America still use them to teach interactive and debate and discussion, to lessons. Customers who are using SMART accommodate every student’s Board 560 and 580 interactive whiteboards learning style, and also uses between content-driven teaching and can now upgrade their projectors by adding humour to engage students and creativity, while respecting the individuality SMART’s new Unifi 45 projector. The to add excitement and enjoyment of children. wall-mounted projector is already to his lessons. Technology plays Geisen has been teaching seventh-grade compatible with the SMART Board 680 an important role in his classroom, science at Crook County Middle School interactive whiteboard. and Geisen’s SMART Board 600i in Prineville, Oregon, for seven years. The Unifi 45 projector is a short- interactive whiteboard system Over his teaching career, he has attempted throw, high-offset projector, one which has become what he equates to a to incorporate as many teaching styles as reduces shadows cast onto the interactive fireplace in the classroom, around possible in his lessons. whiteboard, and offers a bright image (2,000 He uses music, visual arts and debate and lumens), XGA resolution (1024 by 768 discussion, to accommodate every student’s pixels) and true colour quality. Its unique learning style, and also uses humour to boom is wall mounted and, depending on that offers an improved customer experience engage students, and to add excitement and the board model, extends from the wall 37 through an integrated solution.” enjoyment to his lessons. 1/4 to 47 1/4’’ (94.6–120.0 cm). Technology plays an important role in The boom protects the system from SMART is now accepting orders for the his classroom, and Geisen’s SMART Board damage by slowly collapsing from its Unifi 45 projector, which is compatible 600i interactive whiteboard system has installed position. with SMART Board 560, 580, 660 and 680 become what he equates to a fireplace in the The projector includes a control panel interactive whiteboards. It is now shipping. classroom, around which everyone gathers. installed below the interactive whiteboard, The suggested list price in each market is Geisen is sure that the SMART Board has a one-touch on/off button and enables dependent on applicable taxes, duties and interactive whiteboard focuses his students’ peripherals, including laptops, document importation costs. attention and helps keep them on track. He cameras and DVD players, to be connected. Anyone interested in purchasing the Unifi commented: “When the world’s leading interactive 45 projector alone, or in combination with a whiteboard, the SMART Board interactive SMART Board 660 interactive whiteboard, Technology has a way of connecting whiteboard, combines with the new Unifi 45 should contact their local authorised SMART people across oceans and in projector, customers will experience a high- reseller. small groups. It is everywhere, so performance integrated system,” said Nancy For more information, specifications or to incorporating it in the classroom helps Knowlton, SMART’s CEO. “The Unifi 45 find an authorised reseller, please visit them to learn. Technology is ideal when is a robust, multifunction projector http://www.smarttech. Orphan Works Cause Controversy as MILE Sets up New Website
Th e MILE Pr o j e ct launched its Orphan Works database at a major conference during the international CEPIC Congress 2008 in Malta. MILE – Metadata Image Library Exploitation – is an EC-funded project which works towards harmonising cataloguing standards for all image collections within the European Union. The MILE Project’s objectives are to enhance the use, trade and accessibility of digital content in order to stimulate and exploit cultural heritage throughout the EU. MILE brings together expert partners across Europe, and works in association with international organisations active in the fields of image content provision, cataloguing (metadata creators), technology provision, IPR law and professional and educational use. It is not known exactly how many analogue or digital images are held in Europe’s libraries, museums, archives and collections.
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The Orphan Works database was What is the launched after presentations and discussions Combined ranging over the current legal situation Orphan Works Database? regarding Orphan Works in Canada, the US, the UK, Italy and Poland. Regions and The Orphan Works database was It is a website of images with unknown launched after presentations and copyright information, and is the first discussions ranging over the database of its kind for images with OCLC Take the current legal situation regarding Orphan incomplete ownership information. Works in Canada, the The development generated intense US, the UK, Italy and Poland. discussion on the viability and potential Next Step value of such a database. The Chairman It is a website of images with of The Bridgeman Art Library, Harriet unknown copyright information, Bridgeman, said: OCLC i s p l e a s e d to announce that the and is the first database of its data and holdings of the LinkUK union kind for images with Among growing movement towards catalogue have been successfully integrated incomplete ownership information. legislation regarding Orphan Works into the UnityUK union catalogue. The within the UK and EC as a whole, we objective of creating a national union welcome the site as a test case for a catalogue which provides 170 United centralised database of Orphan Work Kingdom public libraries with access However, the collective number of images images, and in doing so, establishing to over 9,300,000 titles and 50,500,000 held by partners in this project alone is some precedent for best practice guidance holdings has now been realised. 10 million. for due diligence process. UnityUK have created a fully-functioning Means of dissemination have improved union catalogue management application, greatly over the last ten years, mainly In October 2009, MILE will present its embracing: due to the internet, but image holders are proposals for reform to the EC. still struggling to find the best ways to MILE was chosen for funding by the • Cross-database searching store, search and distribute their images EC from over 300 project proposals under • Holdings and item location electronically. In general, MILE has the eContentplus call of the i2010 digital • Integrated interlibrary loans identified a number of issues: libraries initiative, to preserve and promote • Resource sharing. European cultural heritage. • Complete searching and request • Insufficient Knowledge: How to The project is divided into three core management from one interface catalogue images to maximise use areas of investigation: • Insufficient Awareness: what are the To date, the catalogue has fulfilled over recent technological developments in • Metadata classification 112,000 requests from member libraries. search and retrieval? • Metadata search & retrieval Katie Birch, Portfolio Manager, OCLC • Multilingual searches and how they • Intellectual Property Rights as metadata commented “We are delighted to have can be used to broaden European and reached this point and will continue to international access MILE brings together skilled and develop the service to suit the needs of its • The IPR implications of the copyright experienced professionals in each of these users.” Rob Froud, TCR Chair, also said: of digitising and exchanging images core areas including: This is a landmark development in Coordinated by The Bridgeman Art • Picture archives Interlibrary loan services in the UK. Library, the world’s leading resource for • IPR lawyers The Combined Regions is delighted to fine art images, the conference (entitled • Trade associations be working with OCLC and the former Intellectual Property Rights Solutions?) • Information technology providers LinkUK library community to establish included speakers from leading government this coherent, strategic and national institutions, arts organisations and This partnership will explore the current approach to service delivery. international commercial companies. An obstacles surrounding each of these three international audience made up of picture areas, and provide recommendations on The UnityUK user community continues industry professionals and government how best to overcome the problems faced to grow, with Middlesborough, Redcar representatives attended, including MILE’s in the exploitation of orphan images. The and Cleveland and South Tyneside Public EC Project Officer, Marc Röder. next issue of MmIT will cover this story. Libraries recently subscribing to the service.
For more information on UnityUK visit Speakers at the conference included: http://www.oclc.org or email [email protected] Jonathan Band, Lawyer and US Legislative Advisor, policy bandwidth Mario Bouchard, General Counsel, Canadian Copyright Board The Combined Regions (TCR) is behind Harriet Bridgeman, Chairman, The Bridgeman Art Library the Unity resource sharing service. For Graham Howard, Design Director, System Simulation more than 10 years, TCR has provided Hugh Jones, Copyright Counsel, The Publishers’ Association interlending services to its 140 member Pandora Mather-Lees, Head of Sales, The Bridgeman Art Library library organisations across the South West, Tom Morgan, Head of Rights & Reproductions, National Portrait Gallery North East, the East Midlands, North East Tim Padfield, Information Policy Consultant, The National Archives / LACA and Scotland. Beginning with resource Edmund Quilty UK Intellectual Property Office sharing via a cd union catalogue, they Ewelina S´liwins´ka, Legal Advisor, Wardyn´ski & Partners moved to a web base in 2001, and provide For information on MILE or future conferences, contact [email protected] the first national resource sharing service. Go to http://www.combinedregions.com.
74 News Travel to Make a Difference – The Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowships for 2009
Th e 2009 Wi n s to n Ch u r c h i l l Travelling sabbatical, and to help others to transform Fellowships offer all UK citizens, from their lives. all walks of life, and irrespective of While involved in the scheme, travel and I have returned to the UK feeling their background, age, educational or living expenses are paid, and in 2008 the excited, enthusiastic and looking professional qualifications, the opportunity average grant was £5300. This was intended forward to sharing and using to undertake study projects related to their to cover overseas visits of between four and what I have learnt. trade, craft or profession. This enables them, six weeks. (Laura Nicholson, Australia and New on return, to make a difference to others in Past recipients have included staff from Zealand, 2006) their community, and to benefit the UK as libraries and information services, and a whole, by putting into practice all they applications for 2009 opened on the 2nd The Fellowship changed my life, but have learnt from their overseas travels. June. The categories for this year cover also the lives of scores of others. While setting them a challenge to achieve broad areas of interest, and further details (Joyce Gilbert, North America 1998) something while benefitting others, it also can be found at http://www.wcmt.org.uk. allows individuals to enjoy the opportunity Applicants must be British citizens under This has been an extremely enriching for personal development, to take a short the terms of the British Nationality Act chapter in my life. 1981, must be resident in the UK and have (Ben Willis, River Niger Expedition, an individual project, falling within one 2006) of the 2009 categories, to be undertaken The Winston Churchill Memorial overseas. While applicants must be over Trust offers you the opportunity to 18, there is no upper age limit – the oldest increase your knowledge successful application to date came from and experience through overseas an 80 year old man – and disability is not a travel in order to benefit others barrier. BFI Award within your community. Successful candidates will be responsible for making all the arrangements relating to How to Apply: the project. There are some restrictions, in From that the awards do not cover attendance at Online at http://wcmt.org.uk. courses, academic studies, student grants or gap year projects. Existing Churchill Focal By post to: Fellows may not apply. The closing date is The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust the 14th October 2008. 15 Queen’s Gate Terrace The results will be announced in February London 2009, and Fellows will be expected to begin Th e BFI Na t i o n a l Archive’s Documentary SW7 5PR their projects within a year, but not before Centenaries project, including the 1st April 2009. Detailed planning will not restoration of the BFI DVDs Night Mail Telephone 020 7584 9315 be necessary at the initial application stage, Collector’s Edition and Land of Promise: but the submission must make clear the The British Documentary Movement 1930 purpose of the project and the benefits to the - 1950, won the Award for the Best Archive community and the UK. Restoration or Preservation Project at the Focal International Awards 2008. Marking the centenaries last year of five pioneer documentarists, this ambitious project involved the curatorial assessment of each of the film-makers’ entire surviving output. Some 84 titles were then selected for restoration, preservation and programming for exhibition, touring and release on DVD. A Collector’s Edition DVD of Night Mail was released in partnership with The British Postal Museum & Archive (BPMA) and the Royal Mail, while the critically-acclaimed Land of Promise quickly sold out.
For more information, contact jill.reading@ bfi.org.uk or go to: http://www.bfi.org.
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découverte in Paris, an installation which explores every area of science, revealing the secrets of discovery and involving visitors through interactive displays. The purpose is to convey something of the wonder of scientific and technological progress. Here, the FogScreen is at the entrance to the exhibition, and is an immediate focus of attention. The FogScreen projection screen, as a stand-alone product, can be integrated into any environment. Apart from the Palais de la découverte, the equipment is successfully being used at science centres, museums, theatres and corporate venues worldwide. Despite its short history, FogScreen™ has been adopted in many countries and for many different kinds of installations. On stage it has brought magic to the Moscow Ballet’s Blue God, and has been featured in presentations by Nokia, Motorola, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Sony, Telefonica and many others. The Völklingen Iron FogScreen Works, an UNESCO World Heritage Centre in Germany, and Sweden’s Tom Tits Experiment, that country’s largest science centre, are other examples of the innovative From Finland use of the screens, while the FogScreen is used as an effect in the Waters of the World exhibition at the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium in Tawain. Fo g s c r e e n i s com i n g to the PLASA Show problem, as long as the projector is powerful Last year, the Discovery Science in central London between the 7th and enough. Center, a complex of hands-on exhibits 10th of September this year. The venue The basic installation includes the device, and interactive programmes, in the USA, is Earls Court, and the show is organised with a control unit, water feed unit and installed one: by the Professional Lighting and Sound chain lifters. A projector with a minimum Association. Full details are available at of 4500 ANSI lumen (ideally 8500 ANSI) The FogScreen provided the perfect mix http://www.plasashow.com. is recommended, as well as content and a of mystery and visual appeal to keep Since the FogScreen revolutionary and content source such as a PC or DVD player. guests wondering how it worked and if innovative projection screen was unveiled Rigging or a ground support structure is the they would get “wet” walking though it. in October 2002 at the Turku Science Fair responsibility of the purchaser. Hooks in We’ve since incorporated the FogScreen in Finland, the screen has been adopted the ceiling for two rigging points, or a truss as the backdrop for our fundraising gala, throughout the world, and is a notable feature structure, are required, and the bottom of and in two additional exhibitions. in a number of museums. the device should be rigged at around two (Julie Smith, Public Relations Manager, After becoming widely available in late metres above the floor, so that people can Discovery Science Center) 2004, interactive functions were added in easily walk under the screen. The projected June 2005, and the one-metre FogScreen image should be 1.5-2 metres high, so that FogScreen is currently working on a range – FogScreen One – was launched in April the bottom of the projected image is close to of related products which will blend fog, 2006. the floor, and an accessible water supply is digital technology, interactivity and an The key element of the screen is a laminar, essential. The installation will work off an innovative approach to presentation and non-turbulent airflow, which remains thin, electricity supply of 110V, 200V or 230V display. crisp and protected from turbulence. The fog (2,2 kW). Optional extras include audio is made with ultrasonic waves and ordinary support and loudspeakers. tap water. No chemicals are involved, the fog It is also possible to hide the projection feels dry and cool to the touch, and viewers screen. Wherever it is located, a dark can stand inside the installation while background should be installed at a distance remaining perfectly dry. of three-to-five metres behind the screen. After the screen is formed, images can be The projector can be placed almost projected onto it. A projector with at least anywhere behind the screen, but its ideal 4500 ANSI Lumen is recommended, and the position is at a height of about 2.3 metres, or distance between the projector and screen higher, and adjustable. should be a minimum of two metres. The preferable distance between the The FogScreen projection screen can be device and the projector is 4 metres, translucent or fully opaque, but it works depending on the projector’s zoom range. very much like any ordinary screen in terms The image can be viewed comfortably at of projection: The image is spectacular in long distance, and is ideal for viewing from normal daylight, but the darker the room the afar on arrival at the installation. This has better the results. Normal stray light is not a been done successfully at the Palais de la
76 This column contains a small selection of items posted on the MmIT Blog, which is at http://mmit.willco.com.
The blog is available for use by MMIT group members, subscribers, professional colleagues and other Best of the Blog professionals interested in the broad area of multimedia information. It is not necessary to be a member of the group or a subscriber to Multimedia Information & Technology to make use of the blog. No registration is required, For the MmIT News Blog go to and no password is needed for access. http://mmit.willco.com Any contributions relevant to the interests of the group, including reports of significant service developments and professional activities, will be welcomed. Post them to the blog at http://mmit.willco.com. The blog is moderated by the editor of MmIT.
Wa r Ch i l d , t h e c h a r i t y w h i c h w o r k s w i t h c h i l d r e n f r om w a r -to r n co u n t r i e s , is setting up War Child a social network for UK schools. Enable Interactive will be responsible for the project, and will design and implement the entire project. The charity works with children affected by war in Afghanistan, Iraq, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Former child soldiers, children in prison and children Sets up living and working on the streets are given support, protection and opportunities. To make sure all these children are provided with what they need , they are involved directly in all War Child’s decision making. War Child Schools is intended to support the charity’s work and encourage schools to become involved. The project will be the third Social which Enable Interactive has undertaken for the Charity in recent months. War Child works alongside local partner organisations in a way which involves children and their communities directly. What is learned from the recipients is used to provide focused support for the most marginalised street children, or children in conflict with Network for the law and children formerly associated with fighting forces. The approach involves a combination of practical action and local advocacy activities. Practical action involves provision of training and the strengthening of peer-to-peer protection networks; livelihoods support; family tracing and mediation. Schools In terms of local advocacy, War Child and its partners engage with community leaders and local authorities to develop positive attitudes towards marginalised children. War Child strengthens the effects of its practical action and local advocacy activities through capacity-building work carried out with local partner organisations. Local partnerships enable them to benefit from local skills and a deeper understanding of complex local political, economic and social dynamics. Practical initiatives alongside local, national and international advocacy ensures the long-term protection of the children they help. War Child already makes use of Facebook: “By tapping into the social networking trend, War Child Schools can educate and motivate children in a safe and familiar environment “, commented Matt Connolly, Strategy Director, Enable Interactive. “War Child has an amazing ability to cut through and communicate with its audience at its own level. With the War Child Schools site we will build on that communication.” A key element of the site is that it will be a secure social network, supported by teaching assets to help introduce, educate and involve children in activism. The network will be used by teachers during Citizenship lessons for 14 - 16 year olds, initially in a small number of schools. This will be extended to other schools across the UK during 2008. Students will be encouraged to campaign on a range of issues they feel passionate about: by writing to their MP, taking part in polls and quizzes, organising events and joining or creating online groups. There will also be a facility to use the network out of school to keep in touch with their friends, and continue to discuss issues. The War Child Schools project is a challenging commission for Enable. It will need to build a community which can compete with other social networking sites, while bringing content to life by creating a site which is fresh and dynamic enough to engage its potential users. Go to: http://www.warchild.org.uk. 77 MmIT vol 34 no 3 August 2008 Smaller Variations in Media Habits Between the Nations of the UK – and a Reducing Town-Country Divide
u r a l a r e a s of the UK while Northern Ireland saw a are better connected to small increase to reach 13%. The Rbroadband than their highest growth was in Scotland, urban neighbours, a new Ofcom where the increase to 21% report has indicated. reflected growth of 7%. The report shows that, for the first time, there is a greater o r e h o u s e h o l d s than proportion of households with ever before now rely on broadband in the rural parts of Mmobile phones. Figures the UK’s nations and regions range from 11-19% sole reliance than there is in urban areas. on mobiles, with Scotland alone Across the UK as a whole, 59% showing a decrease. In the UK’s of households in rural areas now cities, Greater Manchester has have broadband compared to 57 % of urban highest proportion of broadband households the highest levels of mobile-only homes at areas. (68%) with the East Midlands, where only 28%, followed by Londonderry/Derry at When broadband was first introduced in 37% of households have broadband, at the 27%. the UK in 2000, households in urban areas lower end of the scale. were the first to take the service, leading to In Scotland as a whole, 53% of e y f i n d i n g s a l s o p r o v i d e pointers concerns that a digital divide was emerging households have broadband, as opposed to to how the use of the internet is between country and built-up areas. 42% twelve months ago. Kchanging. In England: But the rapid rollout of broadband In Northern Ireland, the figure was 52%, services across the country has meant that an increase of 10%. • Much more time is spent on the internet most parts of the UK now have access to The lowest growth of broadband than in any of the UK’s other nations, this service. This report, therefore, arguably households over the last year was users going online for an average of marks the end of the divide. experienced in Wales, where the increase 12.4 hours, with the majority of this In England, 60% of rural households have was only 3% on the 2007 figure of 42%. used for instant messaging and related broadband, 2% higher than in urban areas activities. at 58%. The gap is the same in Northern i g i t a l t e l e v i s i o n is in 85% of • The internet is also being used Ireland with 54% of broadband households households across the UK – up 10 increasingly for other media activities. in rural areas and 52% in urban areas. Dpercentage points since 2006. Wales In England, 30% of use is accounted In Scotland, 59% of rural households was the country which saw the smallest for by watching TV or video content have broadband compared to 52% of urban growth, up by only 2% to 84 %; Scotland, online, and in London the figure rises households. The biggest difference is in in contrast, was up by 9%, with 85% of to 40%. Manchester is lowest with 16 Wales where 51% of rural households have households having digital TV. Northern % followed by Liverpool at 22%. broadband, in contrast to 43% of urban Ireland has the lowest take-up at 79%, but • More than one in ten adults in households. it increased by the highest rate of all the England also use the internet to make As well as counting broadband nations, up 10%since last year. a voice call (VoIP). Use is highest in households, Ofcom’s third Communications Sunderland has the highest number of London, and lowest in Manchester and Market Report: Nations and Regions, digital TV households in cities, with 96% Liverpool. There is also a growing use measures the take-up and use of television, taking the service, followed by Cardiff and of mobile phones to access the internet. radio and telecoms services in the English Glasgow at 95%. London saw the highest • People living in rural parts of Devon regions, Northern Ireland, Scotland and growth , going up to 89%. Households in and Cornwall are least likely to go Wales. This year’s report looks in detail at Londonderry/Derry have the lowest levels online via their mobile. the main cities in each of the nations and of digital TV installations at 64%, followed • Watching television or video on a regions, and offers a comparison of the by Birmingham at 70%. mobile phone is also becoming more South West, North East and North West of In 2007, broadcasters increased their popular with 4% of adults in England England. proportion of television programmes now viewing content this way. The made outside London, but ITV missed its figure rises to 10% of adults in v e r a l l , t h e r e p o r t r e f l e ct s a financial target for programmes made in the Liverpool and 15% in Birmingham. situation where the take-up of regions. They fell short by 4%, and. Ofcom Obroadband extends to 57% of is now reviewing the issue and considering In Northern Ireland, an interesting figure is households across the UK. This is an what action would be appropriate. that over 71% of viewers of both digital and increase from 45% last year, and take-up analogue television receive channels which has also increased steadily in the nations i g i t a l r a d i o g r e w s l o w l y . More are broadcast from over the border in the and regions. than one in five people in England Republic of Ireland. England saw the highest growth, up from D(22%) now own a DAB digital Other statistics suggest differences with 13% to 58%. The East of England has the radio set. Wales remained static at 14%, the rest of the UK :
78 Best of the Blog
• They are also nearly twice as likely to households in Wales, at 19% compared watch video content this way. to an average UK figure of 22%. Key Points • The audience for radio broadcasts or • There are over 16,000 pages of MP3 downloads on mobile phones is Wikipedia in Welsh. This is the highest also higher here than any other nation number of pages in an indigenous Increased Use of Digital Media or region. On average, one in five language after English, and twice as people in Northern Ireland listens to many as have been written in Irish Multiple Use of Digital Formats the radio or MP3 downloads via their Gaelic. mobile. • Fewer people in Wales use the internet Faster Take Up in Rural Areas to watch TV or video (24%) compared The Scots watch more television than to the UK average of 30%. Wide Coverage for Digital TV any other nation, averaging 4.0 hours per day. The UK daily average is 3.4 hours. Ofcom interprets these figures as indicating Internet TV Increasing However, radio listening in Scotland is a closing of the geographic digital divide amongst the lowest. In addition: in the UK, with rural households today as More TV Programmes Made well connected to broadband as their urban • People in Scotland are more likely to neighbours. Outside London participate in several media activities The report indicates that, across the UK, at the same time – known as media take-up of all communications services Slow Growth in DAB stacking. continues to grow, with more people • Two-thirds of Scots talk on their watching digital television and listening to Multiple Use of Mobile Phones mobiles while using the internet. This DAB digital radio. is almost double the number of people Consumers are also benefiting from Growth in New Ways of in Wales who media stack (38%), and convergence, and are increasingly using higher than the average in England, at new ways to access traditional services. Accessing Digital Services 48 %, and Northern Ireland at 49 %. Ofcom undertakes this research to enable • Mobile telephone owners in Scotland it to develop effective regulation to benefit General Closing are using them less to access the citizens and consumers based on the most internet than the other nations. authoritative evidence available. The full of Digital Divide • Social networking is less popular in report can be found at: http://www.ofcom. Scotland and Wales, with fewer adults org.uk/research/cm/cmrnr08/. using these sites than the UK overall.
• Early evening news bulletins are more By contrast, the Welsh watch more satellite popular with viewers in Northern television than the rest of the UK, with 79% Ireland than anywhere else in the UK, per cent taking a satellite service, but they with UTV’s news programme earning also listen to more radio: the highest viewing figure for any nation’s news programme. • People in Wales listen to more radio • Mobile users in Northern Ireland than any other part of the UK. The are more likely to access the internet Welsh listen to 24.4 hours of radio per through their phone, compared to the week compared to a UK average of overall UK figure. 23.5 hours. There are less mobile-only Emerald Group Goes Online for Book Buyers
Em e r a l d Gr o u p Publishing Limited has more, to add to its portfolio of management such as Qualitative Research in the Study of launched Emerald Bookstore. This new titles. Leadership by Karen Klenke, a new edition online service allows visitors to browse Cathy Mostyn, Director of Books and of An Introduction to the Physiology of through over 2,000 books by subject area, Book Series at Emerald, commented: Hearing by Pickles, and the International and to order securely online at http://books. “Bookstore has provided the means we need Handbook of Distance Education by emeraldinsight.com. to develop and promote our book portfolio Evans, Haughey and Murphy. Emerald has Authors are enthusiastic about the in all subject areas. It is a step further in enjoyed strong growth in recent years as it news, seeing this development as further book publishing, extending the scope of continues to publish rigorous and relevant confirmation of Emerald’s commitment to our publishing avenues and complementing research, and actively expands its portfolio the ongoing support of their communities. our existing journal portfolio and online of products and services tailored to meet Following its recent move into book products and services”. the needs of both academic institutions and publishing, Emerald has embraced new For students and researchers, Bookstore corporate organisations across the world. areas of expertise, such as language and will fast-track access to indispensable Emerald Bookstore is now available at linguistics, sociology, psychology, and research, including recent high-profile titles http://books.emeraldinsight.com.
79 MmIT vol 34 no 3 August 2008 CHEST and Thompson British Computer Society Logs in Reuters Modify Agreement to Virtual Worlds for E-learning on EndNote Web Ad e p t Sc i e n t i f i c (Letchworth, Herts) has announced an amendment to the agreement between eduserv Chest and Thomson Reuters, with the addition of site-wide licences for EndNote Web available to Higher Education Sites, Further Education Sites, Research Councils and selected Associated Sites in the United Kingdom. Under the newly-revised eduserv Chest agreement, institutions can now add EndNote Web to their EndNote desktop site licences free of charge, or purchase a yearly licence for EndNote Web as a stand-alone Th e Br i t i s h Com p u t e r Soc i e t y (BCS) is pursuing e-research. package. establishing a specialist group to provide E-Learning marks the convergence of the Designed to work with EndNote desktop, leadership and direction in the development Internet and learning. Network technologies EndNote Web has the flexibility of the of e-learning. are used to create, foster, deliver, and internet and the reliability of its predecessor. The group will hold regular meetings in facilitate learning, anytime and anywhere. References can be transferred between the virtual worlds such as Second Life. With two packages with ease, enabling students technology embedded in almost every to work wherever they are. “EndNote aspect of 21st century life, citizens need Web helps a new segment of users to be digitally literate. E-learning provides The BCS e-learning specialist streamline citing references and formatting a solution for those who cannot access group will work with practitioners bibliographies ,and also provides EndNote colleges and schools – in 2006 nearly 3.5 in the field to promote best practice in desktop users with an online storage option million students were participating in online all aspects of e-teaching and for times when they are away from their learning at higher education institutes. e-research. desks,” said David L. Kochalko, Vice Employers are also embracing a President Business Development, Thomson technology which allows their employees to Collaborating with key Reuters. develop additional skills without leaving the organisations, the group will For further information regarding eduserv workplace. develop e-learning policies and Chest site licences for the Thomson Reuters The BCS e-learning specialist group procedures, standards and product range go to: http://www.eduserv. will work, with practitioners in the field, specifications, and participate in org.uk/chest/software/isi-researchsoft/ to promote best practice in all aspects of benchmarking, networking and Full details and contact information for e-teaching and e-research. e-learning related dialogues. all Adept Scientific international offices are Collaborating with key organisations, the available at http://www.adeptscience.com. group will develop e-learning policies and procedures, standards and specifications, Top Search Tips From and participate in benchmarking, The delivery of individualised, networking and e-learning related dialogues. comprehensive, dynamic learning content, Google and Beyond The group hopes to attract interest from in real time, aids the development of e-learning professionals who are interested communities of knowledge by linking in developing an active community. learners and practitioners with experts. Th e To p Se a r c h Ti p s which arose from the Mike Rodd, director of BCS Learned E-learning has become a phenomenon recent UKeiG Workshop Searching the Society, explained that e-learning standards delivering accountability, accessibility, Internet: Google & Beyond, delivered by are already being developed, and that the and opportunity. It allows people and Karen Blakeman of RBA Information BCS needs to be part of this development. organisations to keep up with the rapid Services are now at: http://www.ukeig.org. The formation of a specialist group will help changes which define the Internet world. uk/blog/2008/06/top-search-tips-london- provide an authoritative sounding board for june-2008.html professionals active in e-teaching and in Go to http://www.bcs.org. http://tinyurl.com/5op589. and http://www.rba.co.uk/ wordpress/2008/06/17/top-search-tips/ http://tinyurl.com/5qhxza. Coming In Multimedia Information & Technology Although the presentation obviously influenced the thinking of the participants, Anne Cameron on the Scottish Screen Archive Karen stated that the top tips are not her top tips. Two of those which found their way Lucy Tedd on Library Management Systems onto the list involved strategies which were not mentioned in the workshop: social Lucy Geering on Orphan Works and MILE bookmarking and directories of open access journals. The MmIT News Blog Catherine Dhanjal on DS Arena regularly carries details of UKeiG courses and events. Go to http://mmit.willco.com.
80 Reviews edited by Lyndon Pugh
Green, Ravonne A. (ed.), Library Management: a Case Study Approach. Chandos Publishing, 2007. pbk isbn 9871843343493 hbk 978184333509.
h e m a j o r d i f f i c u l t y I e n co u n t e r e d w i t h t h i s v o l u m e was one of definition. The book is divided into two sections, part 1 covering the case study as research Ttool, and part 2, the real heart of the book for me, covering case studies prepared by Valdosta State University students. In part 1, Green covers a great deal of ground in explaining the value of case studies, in setting out the basic principles, and in applying case studies to programme evaluation. I found it difficult to arrive at conclusions about this section of the work. There are a number of questionable assertions, such as the arguable and sweeping linkage of Just-in-Time (JIT) with outsourcing and the collaborative provision of information. The idea that the case study method was given new life because of the advent of JIT is also tendentious. The case study phenomenon goes back much further than that, as Green herself states elsewhere, and the method has been a vibrant, powerful, ever-present and effective means of developing learning and professional skills for many years. The difficulty in following the reasoning in this first section of the book stems in part, I think, from an almost scatter-gun approach by the writer. Yet the opening of chapter 1 is promising, with a workable definition from Mullen:
Green (ed) Library [the case study is ] a selected problem that is studied by framing an inquiry, planning a course of action, searching for clues, generating tentative solutions, and keeping Management: A Case possibilities open Study Approach but in the phrases “searching for clues”, “tentative solutions”, and “keeping possibilities open”, there lies the potential for later disagreement. The main element I would add to this definition is the obvious statement that case studies have to be firmly grounded in practice. As the book develops, the distinction between case studies and basic, small scale practitioner research by managers becomes blurred. While this is perhaps an interesting expression of the USA-UK difference in the interpretation of the case study approach, to at One or two difficulties least some European readers it will be a curious phenomenon. Some of the examples used as case studies are clearly of the latter process to our eyes, and there is a general tendency, with definitions, but in the theoretical aspects of the book, to stray into the areas of general research technique. What is more, some passages of text actually do seem to take the title at its face value, and on the whole a sound advocate management by case study. I would have serious difficulties with this, and also with some of the scenarios put forward as case studies. This, for example, lacking in rigour piece of work on and substance, can hardly, by any stretch of the imagination, be called an adequate example research methods in of a case study: Sue may report to her supervisor that ‘all she did was say “good morning” to Jack and information services, he bit my head off.’ As a researcher, you might mention this incident to Jack. Jack might inform you that he was very angry with Sue on that morning because she was scheduled useful for practitioners to help him with two bibliographic instruction sessions at 8:00 a.m. and he had been left to manage the reference desk alone and had not had a break all morning. Sue had done and students, and this to him repeatedly over the last year. He had reported her behaviour to his supervisor and she had done nothing. She seemed always to defend Sue. When Sue finally arrived at including some good 10:45 a.m., Jack admits that he lost his temper. case studies This is obviously part of a much wider enquiry by the researcher, and in that context it is difficult to turn this into a case study of sufficient robustness to enable it to meet Mullen’s requirements, or mine. Perhaps I should rephrase that and say that it would be difficult for me to turn it into a well-grounded case study. Others might disagree, and I also suspect that HHH part of my problem with the early pages of this book is that it is written from an American perspective, and there may well be a clear difference between the American definition of a case study and mine. For practical purposes, I also found the process of creating case studies, as seen by Ravonne, to be unrealistic to some degree. I have no doubt at all that case studies can, and sometimes do, draw on documentation, interviews, questionnaires and other research
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gave me a clue to understanding a little of the difficulty surrounding definitions: instrumental case studies are used to solve a research problem or a general management problem. They can be generalised and have a wide application to management problems in information services. Unfortunately, what we are talking about here is once again practitioner research.This involves the application of a research methodology which might, as part of it, include the development of case studies. but which is essentially different from a case study. Observation, analysis, data collection and decision making are all management tools, but they do not all need to be part of the preparation of realistic and effective case studies. Neither does the use of documentation, which Green again refers to. There is further clarification to be found in the useful glossaries at the end of chapters. A case study is a research strategy
in which varied types of evidence may be tools. However, it would seem to me that confused and multifaceted. Case studies collected, ranging from archival records the process of preparing case studies for should reflect this, and they should be to first hand and second-hand accounts of use as learning exercises, which is my imaginative. Arguably, they can sometimes thoughts and actions by various methods interpretation of what the second part of the be improved by leaving some information such as interviews, quantitative data, and book is about, is a much more practical and out. In practice, managers often work with focus group reports. (Case, 2002). creative one. It also starts from a different incomplete information, and without the place, with the need to give learners the degree of detail produced by a properly- This illustrates the problem many of us opportunity to consider a discrete problem, constituted research exercise. Case studies might have with this book. What is missing process or issue, in a realistic context. It need to reflect this, because they are from this is the learning or pedagogic ends with a pared-down and honed piece windows on to what really happens in purpose of case studies. Teachers, trainers of work, which will allow users to focus organisations. and practitioners approach case studies with on the essential matters. I would argue The rigour of the research process may this primary purpose in mind. What personally that this end product should also not be the most effective way to create case demonstrate that learning can be fun and studies for learning. The precise analysis of can be interesting. Here Green, with her working situations, of course, has its place reliance on Andragogy, would agree with in management. I would expect managers Case Studies should demonstrate that me. to be applying Ravonne’s principles and learning can be fun and interesting. The most successful case studies are methods regularly as a matter of course, but based on the weight of experience of their this will not necessarily produce effective . . . reflect the nuances of creator, and they can also demonstrate a case studies for other purposes. organisational life. modification of reality. This comes from the As indicated earlier, Ravonne herself editorial process, which is concerned with makes the telling statement that case studies . . . based on the weight of clarity, emphasis and learning aims rather tell a story. Whether they tell the kind of experience of their creator, they than the objectivity of the research process. story which is amenable to the research can demonstrate a Case studies, sometimes, draw on methodology of this first section, and modification of reality. This comes documentation, even down as far as whether this is a practical proposition for from the editorial process, information supplied to job applicants and managers, is a moot point. which is concerned with clarity, material culled from other sources. Writing Part 1 also troubled me because I found emphasis and learning aims a case study can also involve abstracting the distinctions drawn between types of rather than the objectivity of the information from questionnaires originally case study – particularistic, instrumental and research process. used for other purposes. collective – to be artificial and unhelpful. It is a fact that case studies designed as Case studies for teaching and training are . . . often combine experience of learning vehicles often combine experience developed to present a particular problem, more than one incident in of more than one incident in organisational and more often than not will include organisational life, and in more than one organisational elements of everything embraced by the life, and in more than one location or context. Here, I agree with the three types identified by the author. It is the organisational location or context. author’s view of the transferability of case problem which dictates the nature of the studies. content. . . . there is a difference between the What this amounts to is that there is a The best case studies are also drawn from research method set out by Ravonne difference between the research method extensive and varied practical experience. It in the first section of this book, and the set out in part 1, and the case studies used is a truism that practical management rarely, case studies used as examples as examples in part 2, and also, I think, if ever, lends itself to the neat categorisation in the second the much more valuable, part of this book. of experience implied here. Nevertheless, Organisational life is messy, uncertain, the discourse on the third of these types
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Case is defining, and Green affirming, is suffers from is the forced union of research research methodology. method on the one hand, and the use of the That statement brings us neatly to one of The second part of the book was case study method on the other. the two strengths of this book. Forget about most constructive and instructive. The The pressures of management will also the title and the Jesuitical examination of case studies are well organised and make it unrealistic to adopt this combined the precise nature of the case study, and read deal with real life problems. approach widely. It has been said that “most it first of all as a book on research method in management decisions in information information services. From this angle, it is a Ravonne A. Green rounds services are taken on the hoof”. Because of good book. everything off with some sound this, the title is a misnomer. A case study Paradoxically, chapter 2, on the basics conclusions about the legitimacy approach to library management is unreal of the case study approach, contains some of the case study approach to and unworkable. nuggets of information on what needs to learning, grounding it in Andragogy, The last word should be that Green has be included in a case study, and elsewhere and reaffirming the role of the produced a book on research method for there is again the invaluable injunction that instructor as a facilitator. There is practitioners, and a book of case studies. all good case studies must tell a story. much to agree with in this. Both have merit and are valid contributions Sadly, things deteriorate again before to the literature at a certain level. What the end of the second chapter, with the The last word should be that Green is wrong is the attempt to offer them as a reference to something which is clearly a has produced two books: one on unified approach to library management. report, but is labelled, unfortunately, as a research method for practitioners, The areas are distinctive, but may on case study. and one on case studies. occasions overlap. This title can be read as There are also some passages of writing Both have merit and are valid an introduction to both. which are quite abstract, if not rarified. To contributions to the literature of add another criticism, I found the first part information services management. of the book to be over-theoretical in some Terris on Rowley & respects. It was also a quite laboured, and, Research method and the case in some ways, strained method of setting study method are distinctive, but may Hartley Organizing out the sources of information and the on occasions overlap in some information-gathering means available to respects. This title can be read as Knowledge the writers of case studies. an introduction to both. To make matters worse, I am uncertain about the existence, in the UK information lacking a service sector, of the Case Study facilitator. There is much to agree with in Researcher. this, but, unfortunately, once more I found distinctive voice, I found the second part of the book to be myself uncomfortable with her return the most useful and instructive. It consists to the view of the case study as a the book is wide of a series of case studies which go a long generally-applicable means of analysing way towards allaying my misgivings about the effectiveness of an aspect of library ranging, clearly the approach adopted in part 1. These have provision. It is simply impracticable to do an obvious pedagogic intent, they are well this on a widespread scale. organised . . . organised and carefully structured, and We are back once more with the research they deal with real-life problems. On the methodology argument, and with the provides the student other hand, I found a disjunction, perhaps differences between research method and inevitably, between the two parts of the case study preparation and deployment. with a sound work. For UK audiences at least, I think that Even so, the actual case studies used what has happened is that Ravonne Green theoretical grounding, here are a valuable resource. They cover has produced two good books. One of a funding bid, training, censorship, them is about research method, and the but only for text. recruitment and staffing, privacy issues, other is about the case study method as it a problem surrounding the skewing of a is conventionally known. Both are useful, collection, and various library activities, but the latter is much more so, as far as this HHH to reflect the political and personal issues reviewer is concerned. of the librarian, and introducing new Most chapters have a bibliography, often Rowley, J., and Hartley, R. Organizing technology. and overwhelmingly of American sources, Knowledge: An Introduction to Each case study follows a standard which is again understandable but is also Managing Access to Information. 4th ed. pattern: the case is described in its context, going to lend itself to what I think might Aldershot: Ashgate Publishing, 2008. the analysis –sometimes from two students be a slightly limited appeal to UK readers. pbk ISBN 978-0-7546-4431-6. £25. providing a varied perspective – includes There are also a glossary, focus questions a definition of the problem, an assessment, and application exercises at the end of most i b r a r i a n s h a v e b e e n managing access identification of issues, provision of chapters. to information since libraries were alternative solutions, recommended All this is worth three stars, and will be Lestablished in the Ancient World – yet strategies for implementation, follow-up, of some value to students and academics. we still appear not to know how to do it, alternative scenarios, and finally discussion It will also be a source of material, and judging by the number of books and articles questions. maybe some aggravation, for educators published on the issue each year. Whether Ravonne A. Green rounds everything who espouse the principles of Andragogy this is an indictment of the inadequacy off with some sound conclusions about the which Green admirably draws upon. Part of library teaching on a grand scale, an legitimacy of the case study approach to 1 will also be valuable to managers, but, to indication of complexity, or a triumph for learning, grounding it in Andragogy, and overstress the point, I would not read this the publishing industry’s ability to keep the reaffirming the role of the instructor as a book as an integrated whole. What the text subject alive is open to question.
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The authors would argue, rightly, that subject if the book were not organised in organising and managing information The text opens with an attempt by the an efficient and easy-to-use way, and it is. is complicated and the structures which authors to define what it is they are Three sections: Structuring and Describing, were in place half a century ago require writing about – never a confidence- Access, and Systems, are further constant evaluation and manipulation to builder for the reader. They endeavour subdivided, giving a total of 12 clearly take account of rapidly changing means of to explain what knowledge and named chapters which cover topics such as delivery, the diverse physical formats in information are, and the difference them Why Isn’t Google Sufficient?, Citations, which information is held, and the different between them, but hedge their bets. Users and User Behaviour, Subjects as requirements of users. Access Points, Classification and Order, and The text opens with an attempt by the The book, aimed at undergraduate The Evaluation and Design of Information authors to define what it is they are writing and postgraduate students of Retrieval Systems. about – never a confidence-builder for the information management, is at its The content of each chapter is summarised, reader. They endeavour to explain what best in the area in which I suspect and there are review questions and up-to- knowledge and information are, and the the writers are most confident and date references and suggestions for further difference them between them, but hedge accomplished. This is the subject reading. The style is readable, if somewhat their bets. T.S. Eliot, writing over seventy evaluation and design of IR lifeless, and suffers on occasions, as does years ago, knew: systems. Here, Rowley and Hartley so much literature emanating from the put forward their own views, with profession, from tired and overused words Where is the wisdom we have lost in good examples. and phrases, like domain, arena, digital knowledge? environments, global societies. The authors Where is the knowledge we have lost in also have an irritating tendency to state the information? A vast and increasing amount of obvious , as in information is to be found in moving and The book, aimed at undergraduate and still images, and in sound recordings. Printed and card indexes and card postgraduate students of information Such information is routinely sought and catalogues will continue to be used for management, is at its best in the area incorporated into teaching and research. those collections where no digital index in which I suspect the writers are most A crucial failing of this book is its almost or catalogue has been developed confident and accomplished. This is the exclusive emphasis on management of subject evaluation and design of IR systems. access to text. The writers’ claim that “Most or Here, Rowley and Hartley put forward their materials that comprise a single intellectual own views, with good examples. unit can be treated broadly as books” or, Online Public Access Catalogues In chapters such as Users and User as worryingly, “The rise of multimedia (OPACS) are an important means of Behaviour, however, they rely too heavily notwithstanding, text remains the basis of gaining access to organised knowledge. on recounting the research of others, information in a global society”. and what should have been one of the Whether one agrees with this assessment Well, yes, but if students need telling this, most interesting and informative sections or not (and it is an assessment which one wonders if they are training for the right becomes a list of theoretical models with Multimedia Information & Technology has profession. too few examples taken from real situations been questioning for years) to ignore what Organizing Knowledge is in its fourth which the writers have themselves is, on their own admission, a “rise” is a edition (the first was in 1987), which observed and analysed. A somewhat grave and arrogant omission. One suspects indicates that it has found and been unrealistic review question at the end of the knowledge of the authors on the range appreciated by a readership on both sides the chapter illustrates my point: “What and nature of multimedia documents and of the Atlantic. Topics new to this edition are Schneiderman’s eight golden rules for the means of describing them, is relatively include ontologies and taxonomies, markup, maximising usability of a system?” Does weak, and it suits their case to promote metadata, interoperability and the Semantic the student really need to memorise them or text-based information with a nod to listing Web and project management. is it sufficient that they know where to turn literature on the indexing of multimedia. While lacking a distinctive voice, and to when the day comes when they need to Guidance on how to describe or retrieve often too reluctant to come down firmly know? the thousands of moving images on various on one side or the other, the book is wide sites, for example, is omitted. The helpful ranging, clearly organised, and will provide section on describing documents dismisses students with a sound theoretical grounding A vast and increasing amount of “motion pictures” and video recordings in in information management, if all they are information is to be found in moving only two lines: interested in text. and still images, and in sound Olwen Terris, Former Chief Cataloguer, BFI recordings. Such information is These, even more than sound recordings, National Archive. routinely sought and incorporated are subject to rapid technological change. into teaching and research. The physical description is along the Reviews to come in the next two issues of same lines as sound recordings. MmIT will include: A crucial failing of this book is its almost exclusive emphasis on Such an account is lazy and helps nobody. • Web Accessibility and Information management of access to text. The One page is devoted to image retrieval, Literacy Meets Web 2.0 writers’ claim that “Most materials both Content-Based Image Retrieval • European Modernism and the that comprise a single intellectual and Concept-Based Image Retrieval, but Information Society unit can be treated broadly as books” the authors’ account fails to reveal a real • The Revolution Will Not be or, as worryingly, “The rise of understanding and engagement with the Downloaded multimedia notwithstanding, text complicated issues involved; they rely too • Delivering Effective Library Services remains the basis of information in a much on summarising a couple of key • Libraries Without Walls 7 global society” articles on the topic. • Leading and Managing Archives and It would be a poor advertisement for its Records Programmes
84 Reviews
font, colour and background, about the use of images, links and multimedia. The creators of any website aiming to be accessible need to examine these issues in the light of their aims, and in view of the nature of their audiences. The barriers to adoption of accessible solutions, such as cost, impact on creative expression and lack of legislative clarity, can be overcome by persuading stakeholders of the benefits – including financial rewards, increased visibility and improved functionality. There is an important distinction between accessibility and usability: the former suggesting that the user can reach the content on the site but providing no guarantee of finding easily what they are looking for; whilst usability ensures that tasks can be completed successfully. So accessible sites are not necessarily usable from the viewpoint of people with disabilities, and another important step in ensuring appropriate web design is accessibility evaluation. This process can provide good information for change implementation, although ideally, all sites should have been constructed with such issues in mind. Whilst automated and manual assessment can be useful, the best test is evaluation by users with disabilities. Considering the issue of accessibility widely makes this volume not only a rich Craven, J. (ed.), Web Accessibility: source of information for those involved Practical Advice for the Library in designing and delivering web sites. It Lina Coelho on and Information Professional. Facet also has a great deal to offer to the non- Publishing, 2008, practising observer – in raising awareness Craven hbk ISBN 978-1-85604-625-1. and encouraging understanding. The place of accessibility issues in the Web Accessibility: h e u b i q u i to u s n a t u r e of electronic LIS curriculum is an important concern, information resources, and the as is the ability to examine and understand Practical Advice Tgrowing awareness of issues users’ needs and behaviours, with an eye around accessibility, make this collection on future technologies, where computer for the Library and a welcome addition to the bookshelf of processed metadata about sites will instruct librarians and web developers alike. As browsers to deliver only content which Information the editor points out, it is today both “a complies with certain guidelines and moral duty, … and a legal requirement requirements. Professional to take reasonable steps to ensure that no For those wishing to benchmark their one is excluded from access to goods and experiences against others, there are services”. plenty of examples of good practice, like HHHH This volume brings together contributions the projects and initiatives funded and from experts and practitioners with undertaken by the European Commission. experience in both the library and education It is essential that librarians and sector. The web has, no doubt, increased information professionals are educated The web has, no doubt, increased access to information, but a blind surfer, about how assistive technologies work, and access to information, but a blind even if technologically able, takes up to how to engage with users with disabilities surfer, even if technologically able, six times longer to reach a specific item of in an informed and creative manner. If takes up to six times longer to reach information. If this unfavourable ratio is to librarians and information professionals a specific item of information. be remedied, content providers must take are to face the Web of the future with notice of what the contributors have to say confidence, they should develop a firm If this unfavourable ratio is to be and scrutinise the experiences they share. grasp, not only of the social, political and remedied, content providers must Operating system adjustments, assistive legal issues surrounding the subject, but take notice of what the contributors technologies, third party and network also of the shifting technologies which can have to say and scrutinise the solutions – all can widen access to the web, provide new and less fragmented solutions experiences they share. but cannot overcome the barriers created to the challenges of accessibility. by the format in which content is presented. The idea of “Design for All” offers Lina Coelho Sub-Librarian British Medical considerations about layout, navigation, Association Email: [email protected]. 85 MmIT vol 34 no 3 August 2008 A Cottage on Dartmoor
On e o f t h e v e r y l a s t silent films to be made in Britain before the talkies revolutionised cinema, A Cottage on Dartmoor (1929) is a virtuoso piece of filmmaking, a final passionate cry in defence of an art form soon to be obsolete. Restored from film materials DVD preserved in the BFI National Archive, this little-known gem has been released on DVD for the first time in the UK, with a specially commissioned score by Stephen Horne. & Video Directed by Anthony Asquith (better known for The Browning Version and The Way to the Stars), the film is an embroiled melodrama, a tale of love and revenge, set in the bleak News landscape of Dartmoor. In a small-town hairdressing salon, a young barber, Joe (Uno Henning) is paying court to Sally, the beautiful manicurist (Nora Baring), and asks her out. She rejects him in favour of A Walk With the security offered by an older, wealthier farmer. In a jealous rage Joe slashes the farmer with a razor and is sent to Dartmoor prison for attempted murder. He escapes over the Love and Death moors to find Sally, who does not know if he has come to kill her or ask her forgiveness, and it’s at this point that the film begins. The rest of the story is told in flashback. A Wa l k w i t h Lo v e a n d De a t h (above) Overlooked by critics more eager to heap praise upon his contemporary, Hitchcock, is the ‘lost’ late 60s cult classic by John (who made Blackmail during the same year), Asquith’s films display the same skill in Huston (of The African Queen, The Misfits inventive story-telling and technical artistry. Steeped in the work of the Soviet avant-garde and The Night of the Iguana fame). The film and German expressionism, Asquith adopts these styles whilst instilling the film with a marked Anjelica Huston’s debut. particularly British sensibility. Extras include In the 14th Century, England and France were engaged in a war that would last a • Insight (1960) – Study of Anthony Asquith at work featuring on set footage and hundred years. Claudia and Heron were interviews born after the war began, and would die • Rush Hour – Comedy film from the BFI National Archive about Britain’s workers before it ended… coping with the transport system during the War (Asquith, 1941) • Fully illustrated booklet including essays by Bryony Dixon and Geoffrey Macnab This brief prologue opens the story of a student, Heron (Assi Dayan), who leaves More films by Anthony Asquith will be released by the BFI in the future. Paris to walk to the sea, but encounters Claudia (Anjelica Huston), a young noblewoman with whom he falls in love. Heron pledges to protect her after her home is destroyed in a peasant revolt. Filmed in Cluny Brown Com b i n i n g e l e g a n c e a n d w i t , Ernst 1968, Huston’s tale of young lovers adrift Lubitsch’s last film, set in 1938 London, is in France during the Middle Ages owes A film by Ernst Lubitsch one of his most engaging romantic more to the spirit of the late 1960s in its comedies. questioning of authority and insistence on In partnership with Twentieth Century love, not war. Fox Home Entertainment and Hollywood Based on Hans Koningsberger’s novel Let it be noted at the outset that Ernst Classics, the BFI has made it available on of the same name, the film features a Lubitsch has come up with a delectable DVD for the first time. wonderful score by Georges Delarue, and sprightly lampoon in Cluny Brown…. Jennifer Jones and Charles Boyer team including one of his most haunting love from this vantage point, the offering is up as the plumber’s niece (later housemaid) themes. Special features include among the year’s most delightful and the intellectual Czech refugee, who film comedies. throw English society into disarray with • Behind-the-scenes footage of Huston their disregard for conventions. on set (A.H. Weiler, New York Times This charming satire, aided by a • Illustrated booklet with an original 3 June 1946) wonderful script taking in snobbery upstairs, essay by Hans Koningsberger (from downstairs and in the middle classes, is giv- Film Quarterly Spring 1969); en a jolly run around by a cast comprising • A review from Monthly Film Bulletin, most of Hollywood’s British stalwarts, from February 1977; Sir C. Aubrey Smith and Peter Lawford, to • Cast and credits Sara Allgood and Una O’Connor. • Dolby Digital mono audio (320 kbps) Also on the DVD will be found:
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• Original trailer • Illustrated booklet with original • Publicity photos Radio On • Film review by A.H. Weiler of the New A film by Christopher Petit York Times from 1946 • Director biography by Thomas Fe a t u r i n g m u s i c f r om David Bowie, Elsaesse Kraftwerk, Lene Lovich, Ian Dury, Robert • Cast and credit details Fripp, Wreckless Eric and Devo, the BFI • Dolby Digital mono audio (320 kbps) have released Radio On for home viewing for the first time in the UK. Chris Petit’s cult classic Radio On (1979), is one of the most striking feature debuts in British cinema – a haunting blend of edgy The Bill mystery story and existential road movie, crammed with eerie evocations of English landscape and weather. Douglas Stunningly photographed in monochrome by Wim Wenders’s assistant cameraman Martin Schäfer, Radio On is driven by a Trilogy startling new wave soundtrack featuring David Bowie, Kraftwerk, Lene Lovich, Ian Dury, Wreckless Eric, Robert Fripp and My Ch i l d h oo d , My Ai n Fo l k and My Way grinding poverty. Devo, and contains an early screen Home are three of the most compelling In My Ain Folk (1973), Jamie is sent performance by Sting. Following a young films about childhood and adolescence ever to live with his paternal grandmother and London DJ (David Beames) on the road to made, and are now released for the first time uncle; a life full of silence and rejection. Bristol, to investigate the mysterious death on DVD by the BFI. My Way Home (1978) sees Jamie’s ulti- of his brother, Radio On offers a unique, Bill Douglas’s award-winning films are mate victory over his circumstances; after a compelling, and even mythical, vision of a released together by the BFI , in a two-disc spell in foster care, and a homeless shelter, late 1970s England, stalled between failed DVD set with special features. he is conscripted into the RAF, where he hopes of cultural and social change and the The narrative is largely autobiographical, embarks on a redemptive friendship with imminent upheavals of Thatcherism. following Jamie (played with heart-break- Robert. This allows him to emerge from his Previously Film Editor at Time Out ing conviction by Stephen Archibald) as he ineffectual adolescence to pursue his artistic magazine, Chris Petit won BFI grows up in a poverty-stricken mining ambition. Production Board and Wim Wenders’s village in post-war Scotland. In these brutal Watching the Trilogy is far from a backing despite having no previous surroundings, and subject to hardship and depressing experience. This is cinematic filmmaking experience. He went on to make rejection, Jamie learns to fend for himself. poetry: Douglas reduced his subject more films during the 80s, and in recent We see him grow from child to adolescent, matter to the barest essentials. years has worked in collaboration with psy- becoming an angry and bewildered, but Dialogue is kept to a minimum, and chogeographer Iain Sinclair. His most recent playful, creative and affectionate individual. fields, slag heaps and cobbled streets are film was Ideal Love (2006). Chris has also In My Childhood (1972), eight-year old shot in bleak monochrome. published several novels and regularly Jamie lives with his granny and elder broth- Yet, with its unexpected humour and reviews books for The Guardian. er in a Scots mining village in 1945. With warmth, the Trilogy brims with clear-eyed his mother in a mental home, and his father humanity, and affection for an ultimately Extras include absent, he is subject to the hardships of triumphant young boy. • New filmed interview with Chris Petit Special features include: and producer Keith Griffiths • Radio on (remix) (Petit, 1998, 24 • Bill Douglas: Intent on Getting the mins): a digital video essay – with radi- Image (2006, 63 mins), a new cal disruption of the original sound- documentary about Bill Douglas’s life track by Wire’s Bruce Gilbert • Come Dancing (1970, 15 mins), • Original trailer Douglas’s remarkable, rarely-seen • Illustrated 28-page booklet with student short contributions from Geoffrey • Rare archive interview with Bill Nowell-Smith, John Patterson, Ian Douglas (4 mins) Penman, Chris Petit, Sukhdev Sandhu, • Illustrated booklet containing newly Jason Wood and Rudy Wurlitzer; commissioned essays, notes and credits director biography and credits
All the BFI DVDs included in this issue have been released during the summer, and are available from: the Filmstore at BFI Southbank; the BFI at 21 Stephen Street, London W1; all good DVD retailers; by mail order from 020 7815 1350 or online at http://www.bfi.org.uk/video
87 MmIT vol 34 no 3 August 2008 Literacy in Technicolour From Film Education
series, and is intended for use by teachers of children between the ages of five and seven.
Picturacy provides all the resources you’ll need to embed multimedia into all your lessons. I loved the task that broke the audio into layers to see how atmosphere is created. The pricing for the site licensing is great value for money … I’m already really looking forward to seeing the KS2 disc
reported Paul Ramsey, of Icknield Primary School in Luton. Renewed Primary Framework Film is now a key component of the renewed Primary Framework for literacy, where there is an emphasis on visual literacy and the use of on-screen texts:
From an early age, the power and impact of film can really help children gain a Fi l m i s a n e x t r e m e l y powerful tool which • Setting: illustrating different genres greater understanding of narrative and is quick to create enthusiasm and engage • Camera: storytelling techniques used character ... visual literacy plays a key pupils of all ages, and foster their interest in by filmmakers role in giving children a deeper insight a wide range of topics. into storytelling and so enhancing young The impact of visual literacy in class Written and developed with a team of peoples’ appreciation of the written text. enhances learning and raises standards primary teachers, the resource boasts a The narrative and non-fiction units within in reading and writing. Picturacy is Film colourful, user-friendly interface which the renewed framework encompass both Education’s new series of interactive allows teachers to illustrate different film paper and on screen texts and are intended resources, which focus on supporting techniques, such as camera angles, colour to cover the full range of texts envisaged literacy in schools by using film clips to and sound, with current, tried and tested within the National Curriculum. illustrate the key concepts of reading and film clips. Peter Wood, Sacred Heart RC Film is firmly embedded across the new storytelling. Primary School in Bedfordshire, said: Primary Framework, and teachers have Simple and easy to use, Picturacy® for identified a resource need. Picturacy gives Young Learners makes film in literacy Our school hasn’t really used film in this teachers access to current and topical film accessible for teachers and interactive for way before, so to be given a pre-selected material which they can use to develop pupils. Learners are excited and motivated choice of recommended clips takes the the key skills pupils need to become by working with their favourite on-screen fear factor away. creative themselves. characters. The resource features famous (Ian Wall, Director, Film Education) faces from: Pooh’s Heffalump Movie, The simple drag-and-drop software allows Madagascar, Bee Movie, Heidi, Robots, pupils of all capabilities to participate in Picturacy for Young Learners. The Magic Roundabout, Mr. Magorium’s scene creation, and engages pupils in more Interactive CD Rom Published: 2nd May Wonder Emporium and Chicken Little. subtle tasks which will help them develop 2008 / KS1 Literacy & ICT It provides teachers with instant access an understanding of emotions and empathy. to a wealth of current and popular film For over twenty years, Film Education has clips and trailers to support the teaching of Some of my pupils, the boys in particular, been bringing film to teachers and school narrative, setting, story, persuasive writing often find it difficult to empathise children. The charity produces award-winning and characterisation: with characters from text alone… film resources, trains teachers, and each year provides extremely powerful visual takes 300,000 school children to the cinema • Character: How are characters built? assistance that allows them to really – free of charge – in the National Schools How do you teach empathy? engage with the depth of emotion in a Film Week.. Picturacy for Young Learners, • Colour: techniques for creating mood, narrative an interactive CD Rom, was published in atmosphere and telling a story the early summer by Film Education, and is • Music: basic editing tasks and said Shali White, of Ferrars Junior School. designed for KS1 Literacy & ICT students. experimenting with soundtrack layers Picturacy is ideal for use on Interactive The price is £50.00 and includes a full licence • Narrative: a unique Storyboard Kit the Whiteboards, and can be distributed over for every teacher and pupil. Teachers can buy whole class will enjoy using a school network. It is the first in a new Picturacy at http://www.filmeducation.org.
88 The Plustek Flat Bed Optical Scanner
Ken Cheetham of UWIC Student Support looks at a flatbed optical scanner which avoids the problem of shadow, caused by the spines of books when a conventional machine is used.
h i s f l a t b e d s c a n n e r is specifically which can cause reading difficulties and The result is that text is rendered difficult designed to avoid the “shadow” problems with optical character recognition. to read or an OCR operation is confused. T effect when scanning pages in books. The lid of the scanner is removable, and this To eliminate this bleed, the aforesaid Image When using a conventional scanner, this is really useful when scanning large books. Enhancing Backing is used behind the page phenomenon is created because the The underside of the lid holds a being scanned. construction of the book’s spine prevents double-sided Reflective Document Mat, However, the conventional solution has the gutter’s margins from lying flat on the white on one side and black on the other. been to place a sheet of dark card behind the scanner’s glass. With the Plustek 3600, this When applying the Auto-crop function, the page, and some users may find that more is simply, though ingeniously, achieved (see black surface can be used for light images convenient. the figure on this page). The lid is hinged and books, and the white side for dark There is no provision for the scanning of along its long side, rather than the usual images and multicolour photographs. This transparent materials such as negatives, short side, the opposing edge of the glass gives the scanner more edge contrast to OHPs or slides. and scanner’s bed being of flush define the crop. Seven buttons provide quick access to all construction. This allows the book to hang Behind the Reflective Document Mat sits the basic tasks. The top two, side-by-side, over the edge of the machine, and the page another piece of plastic called the Image allow the user to choose between book or being scanned to lie completely flat. The Enhancing Backing. Depending on the paper, i.e. single sheets. scanning head mechanism is able to read paper weight, type of print and ink colour or Pressing either will light up an indicator right up to that edge, due to the curved lamp weight, print often bleeds through lamp below it, and this then activates the design. Not only is the spinal shadow the paper from one side to another, and this five below. The Book button switches these eliminated, but there is no distorted text is often picked up by a scanner. into Book Pilot, Preview,
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which are supposed to represent their functions. Hovering the mouse-cursor over the graphic reveals a short description in text. This is not a particularly useful method, and the graphics themselves do not Specification work well and appear somewhat childish and unprofessional. Dimensions: s f a r a s p e r f o r m a n c e is concerned, what has to be remembered is that 28.5cm x 45.3cm x 10.5cm (WxDxH) A the professional standard book Weight 3.9 kg scanners are designed for large volume Maximum media size 216x 297mm Colour Scan, Greyscale Scan and Text Scan organisations such as major libraries, Maximum optical resolution 1200x1200 modes, while the Paper button yields archive collections and museums – dpi Custom, E-mail, Copy, OCR and Scan organisations which, in other words, can Interpolated resolution 2400x2400 dpi modes. afford to pay for the quality their operations will demand. System Requirements e tt i n g -u p i s straightforward, as long Optic Book 3600 is a product which tar- Microsoft Windows 2000/XP/Vista as the instructions are followed. gets a different market segment. It is ideal compatibility SUnlock the scanner, turn on the for smaller libraries, schools, copy rooms, Pentium ll, 256Mb RAM, 800 Mb power and plug in to a USB port on the student and general use in universities, and free on HDD, VGA or higher computer – no other interface is available. other lower volume applications. graphics card Windows will detect the equipment and With this proviso, scanning speed is Interface devices to include ask for the supplied disc with its drivers, commendable. A 9-seconds scan is normal CD-ROM and free USB port which will be identified and installed. The for a black and white A4 page at 300 dpi installation application will also take care of and 27 seconds is the standard for a 600dpi the provided software, and this means that greyscale photograph. It should be it will not have to be installed separately. remembered, however, that scanning speed affects copy quality. While this is not too About PlusTek significant with text, though it can adversely affect OCR results, it is of considerable Optic Book 3600 is a product importance when scanning images. The In business since 1986, Plustek which targets a different market scanner does is in fact return very poor re- manufactures and ships high quality segment. It is ideal for smaller sults in image quality. The colours are bland scanners and other imaging products libraries, schools, copy rooms, and unsaturated, and the images are dull, to buyers worldwide, reaching student and general use in universities, unsharp and ill-defined when compared to millions of users. and other lower volume applications their source originals. Scan speed and the low scan resolution of 1200 dpi both Through dedicated design innovation contribute to these results. with strict and high quality Another deficiency in this area stems manufacturing standards, Plustek has NewSoft Presto! PageManager facilitates from the plustek Optic TWAIN scanner grown to become one of the largest OCR, fast and simple PDF creation and driver. While this is easy to use, it lacks the providers of all types of scanners, conversion, for example, to Word or Excel. sort of image-enhancement controls which video conferencing equipment, Pages are automatically rotated to the make truly graphical-scanning software webcams, general image technology correct orientation, and are saved in the packages such powerful and effective and related equipment. correct order. ABBYY FineReader Sprint tools – colour restoration, dust and scratch is required for the OCR (Optical Character removal and sharpening. In addition to sales and supporting Recognition) to work properly, and Presto! offices worldwide, China-based ImageFolio is the image editing software. y co n c l u s i o n i s that this is not a bad factories and offices provide FineReader Sprint is compatible with a scanner if the requirement is for just-in-time manufacturing and wide range of languages, certainly returning Mtext and book copying. engineering. This allows Plustek to accurate results with a number of docu- If there is also a need to scan for high back new products in the market with ments in French. quality imaging, then it will have to run strong after-sales service. Within the software, there are no labels alongside another machine, so there are a identifying the fields, but there are graphics number of issues to be considered. Plustek has been introducing Undoubtedly, the plustek OpticBook 3600 revolutionary image equipment for Flatbed Scanner offers a huge saving in many years, and has a record in the labour costs, by avoiding having to correct introduction of innovative equipment, for spine shadow and the distorted text including the first compact design Plustek OpticBook 3600 book resulting from it. However, it will do little duplex scanners, low cost video scanner has unique book edge for image quality. conferencing equipment, low cost design, and it comes with one A high-quality image scanner on the other book scanners, the highest resolution touch button operation, easy to hand will not speed up, or clean up, book 7200 dpi film scanner, a 3-axis manage and preserves the files copying. Perhaps the best idea is to have (pan, tilt, focus) webcam and the and document both. The current price for the Plustek Optic A5 flatbed scanner 1200 dpi, USB 2.0 interface Book 3600 Scanner is £175 including VAT. Contact Micro Link PC – tel. 02380 240316 – for details of where to buy.
90 TECHNOLOGY ROUNDUP KEVIN CURRAN
Wh e n a w e b c r a w l e r o r s p i d e r l oc a t e s a new page, it passes the page on to an indexer, Navigating to identify links, keywords, and other content, and stores these within its database. This database is searched by entering keywords through an interface, and suitable web pages are returned in a results page in the form of hyperlinks accompanied by short descriptions. The Web, however, is increasingly moving away from being a collection of documents, the Deep towards a multidimensional repository for sounds, images, audio, and other formats. This is leading to a situation where certain parts of the web are invisible or hidden. The term Deep Web has been coined to refer to the mass of information which can be accessed via the Web, but cannot be indexed by conventional search engines. Flash Web The concept of the Deep Web makes searches quite complex for search engines. Google states that the claim that conventional search engines cannot find such documents as PDFs, Word, PowerPoint, Excel or any non-HTML page is not fully accurate, and it has taken steps to address this problem by implementing procedures for searching items such as academic publications, news, blogs, video, books, and real-time information. However, Google still only provides access to a fraction of the deep web. From July of this year, one piece of the puzzle has been solved. Information from millions of Web pages which use the Flash animation software is now accessible by search engines. Adobe has provided Google and Yahoo with a specialised version of its Flash animation player. This reveals information about text and links in Flash files. Spiders are autonomous programmes which browse through the Web in a systematic fashion. Adobe’s new player allows these spiders to load Flash files, read the text and links, and click any buttons or tabs. This equips the spider to make inferences about the context in which a word or link occurs. The development is seen as a move which could be extremely attractive to advertisers, in particular, who traditionally chose between building a site which is aesthetically pleasing and one that can be ranked in a Web search. On a related note, ReadWriteWeb’s Sarah Perez recently published a list of some of the major image databases in a post titled Digital Image Resources on the Deep Web. The images themselves are mostly part of the invisible web, and are in online collections created by institutions in the U.S. Some of the images may be in the public domain, but many will require permission or accreditation in order to use. Go to http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/digital_image_resources_on_the_deep_web.php.
91 MmIT vol 34 no 3 August 2008 WikiREADia Brings Alternatives to Reading to the People Google Actively Wi k i READi a i s a UK-based site devoted, Promoted as the name suggests, to reading. It contains lots of clever ideas for librarians, teachers, WikiREADia parents, businesses and more, which Th e r e i s a n e n t i r e g e n e r a t i o n of young can be used to encourage reading in the Ideas, case studies, examples of good people who are IT-literate but yet would community. practice, links to other sources find it hard to believe that people once used WikiREADia is written collaboratively alternative search engines to Google. How by reading professionals from all across the Contributors must conform to many can remember AltaVista, Excite, UK and beyond. The purpose of the site WikiREADia editorial policy Lycos, Mamma and others? is to provide a place where good practice AltSearchEngines (http://www. in reading is recognised and shared as a Moderation by the National Year of altsearchengines.com) aims to expand source of inspiration. The site offers the Reading Web Editor coverage of search engines to include the opportunity to share ideas and case studies hundreds of alternative or niche search demonstrating effective teaching of reading. Aimed at librarians, teachers, parents engines. The site is edited by Charles WikiREADia’s articles provide links to and other categories of user Knight, and the editorial attitude is indeed related pages with additional information. pro-alternative search engines, but it really Visitors need no specific qualification UK-based site seems to strive to be a showcase of to contribute, as their primary role is to cutting-edge innovation. Their goal is to provide, for differing audiences, articles be the definitive destination for everything which cover existing knowledge about related to alternative search engines, reading and the teaching of reading. Anyone article, are asked to include references, as providing news and reviews and a Top 100 is welcome to add information, unreferenced facts are likely to be removed Alternative Search Engines listing, with cross-references or citations, as long as by the National Year of Reading Web a designated Search Engine of the Month they do so within the WikiREADia editing Editor. and Search Engine of the Year. The current policies and to an appropriate standard. Go to: WikiREADia. http://www. July winner is Tag Galaxy (http://www. Contributors adding information to an yearofreading.org.uk/wikireadia/index. taggalaxy.de).
EyeOS16 is a mobile desktop which allows Free Resources for word processing programmes to be used anywhere. Check out the Christian’s blog for all the links. Writing Online 1Laun, Christian (2008). 50 Awesome Open Source Resources for Online Writers An i n c r e a s i n g n u m b e r of people are now conception of an idea through to the final Published Tuesday April 29th, 2008. Online blogging and writing online. Even if the version, and works with media. at: http://www.jobprofiles.org/library/ writing is for offline consumption, there is Web Tools include Amaya9 , which students/50_awesome_open_source_ still a wide range of excellent free software is a Web editing programme to update resources_for_online_writers.htm on the web for downloading. Christian Laun or edit content directly on the Web, and 2http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter.html - has a list of 50 open source tools which MediaWiki10 , which allows easy publishing 3http://www.openoffice.org/ can be used to improve the quality of web of web pages online without using an FTP 4http://groups.google.com/group/wikidpad/ writing 1.For example, there are a number of programme. MediaWiki is the software web/home free high quality word processors available, which powers the online encyclopedia 5http://jalingo.sourceforge.net/ such as: yWriter2 which was created and is Wikipedia. 6http://stardict.sourceforge.net/ maintained by a novelist; OpenOffice Other helpful tools to streamline work 7http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter.html - Writer3 is as comprehensive and easy to include Prompts11 . This is a programme 8http://www.celtx.com/ use as MS Word, and wikidPad4 is a wiki- designed to assist creativity, working 9http://www.suite101.com/view_image. style notepad which supports the cross- through series of prompts. Launchy12 cfm/354700 referencing of information easily, and helps makes for convenient and easy opening 10http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/ to draw together plot points and facts. of all the programmes designed to support MediaWiki Free Reference tools include JaLingo5 , the writing process. ASuite13 transfers 11http://www.creativity-portal.com/howto/ which allows users to look up words in a documents to a USB drive or iPod so that writing/writing.prompts.html dictionary from their desktop, and StarDict6 files, folders and webpages can be launched 12http://www.launchy.net/ performs the same function. Some open from anywhere. ZManda14 makes it easy 13http://sourceforge.net/projects/asuite source resources to keep a desktop clutter to create daily or weekly backups. Word 14http://amanda.zmanda.com/ free include Sonar7, which aims to assist Count Plus15 allows users to keep track 15 https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/ the author in tracking submissions and of what has been written. Docvert15 helps addon/4718 feedback from publishers, and Celtx8, a tool convert old files saved in a Windows 16http://holloway.co.nz/docvert/ which controls the creative process from the format to various open source formats, and 17http://eyeos.org/en/
92 The Story of MoLI’s Chairs and the Spirits
By Ceara McCurdy and Sarah McMichael
Ceara McCurdy and Sarah McMichael, of Dundee University’s Interactive Media Design Course, tell the story of the research and innovation which revealed, in a humourous and enlightening way, the connections between historical artefacts and today’s products, and the interaction with users who visited the exhibition
e c e m b e r 2006 s a w the opening a lecturer at the University of Dundee. (For Interactive Media Design course at Dundee of the first ever Museum of Lost more on Graham’s work see his interview research past technology, and design nine DInteractions at the University of on the We Make Money Not Art, link at end exhibits using technology which existed Dundee, attracting attention from the press, of this article). MoLI is a Museum featuring between 1900 and 1979. both local and further afield. The Museum lost artefacts. Its purpose is to illustrate the These exhibits were presented to the of Lost Interactions, or MoLI for short, similarities between past developments in press and public as having been ‘found’ and held its second exhibition a year later. The interaction design and products which hold ‘restored’, causing great discussion into the second installation at the museum was an a common place in today’s society. honesty of the project. exhibition of chairs. The original MoLI was part of a project The exhibition introduced the public to a MoLI was conceived by Graham Pullin, which saw students from the third year number of artefacts. The Richophone, for
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Following this, earlier examples of interactive chairs, from the controversial electric chair to the comical space hopper, were investigated. Inspiration also came from favourite chairs from past designers, including Arne Jacobsen’s Egg Chair, Alvar Alto’s Paimio Chair and Charles and Ray Eames’s Lounge Chair. Based on similarities in their research, the group of students were further divided into smaller units of two or three, and began to design their own interactive chairs. The Macintosh Patcher programme Max/ MSP was used to begin with. A graphical interface Max/MSP allows users to digitally manipulate audio and video tracks. It also allows sensors to be connected via an iCube. This is a piece of equipment, connected to the computer via USB, which allows simple components to be developed into complex interactive systems. This technology gave the groups the freedom to design artefacts with audio and video interactivity; the trick was to incorporate the technology so that it was compatible with the object’s style at the time of its creation. A chair from the 1800s, for example, would obviously not have contained a video screen. Therein lay the most testing challenge. In order to achieve maximum usability and interactivity, it was necessary to investigate the various ways in which users could interact with sensors, and consequently how these sensors could be hidden within the designs. The Chair The use of different sensors and switches, which responded to user interaction, were explored. These sensors were all small enough to allow them to be embedded seamlessly in the designs. Hiding the example, was a multi-player game which They were also capable of playing music technology in this way provided the connected players to each other via booths and could even communicate using light freedom to experiment with the interactions. in hotels and cafes around London. The patterns. This was an attempt to move away What is meant by this is that the users Fender Chordmaster was a guitar aid for from the intrusive, harsh mobile devices may or may not know what influence they beginners learning to play the electric guitar, of today. With the website linked to this are having on the chair. The project also and the Social Communicator was a mobile exhibition receiving 20.000 hits in one involved a lot of hand-crafting to create communication device which used Morse day, it was clear that the project had been a the designs as they were envisioned. Each Code. success. group had to source a chair, either from The brief to design an interactive chair recycling centres or an auction house. This s MoLI r e c e i v e d mo r e and more was given to students at the beginning of would then become the base upon which the notice from the press and public, in their third year. design could be built. A the months after the exhibition, it A key issue was making the objects became obvious that the project had been a o s t g r e a t d e s i g n e r s , from Charles look as if they were, in some cases, over success. This led to thoughts for the second Rennie Mackintosh to Salvadore a hundred years old. Unfortunately, most exhibition, in which students from the year MDali, have, at some stage in their of what was available had been restored below the first cohort attempted to build career, applied their talents to designing to make it look as good as new. This was on the achievement, and add to Dundee’s a chair. Therefore, it made sense for the not what was required. Using the college reputation in this area. students of today – who are the designers of workshop and some woodwork skills, the In preparation for this task, students then tomorrow – to give it a try. chairs were altered and redesigned. They in the second year of the course undertook Of course, chairs designed by Interaction were in fact made unrecognisable from the a project by the name of Phone|Not Designers are going to be somewhat ones with which the project began. Phone. This involved the design of mobile different from regular pieces of furniture. The process involved embedding sensors, communication devices, which were Like the original MoLI designers, the first hiding projectors and adding various different from any to be found in today’s part of the project involved researching past controls to the chairs, as well as changing phone stores. Using Picaxe microcontrollers technologies which have disappeared from the physical appearance by using wood and the associated Programming Editor, common usage, including the gramophone, stains, sanding techniques and general phones which could vibrate were created. panorama and even calligraphy. mistreatment of the pieces.
94 The Story of MoLI’s Chair
h e a u t h o r s of this article decided, h e c h a i r , l oo k i n g v a g u e l y similar were fitted into the hand rests. as part of their project, to look into to chairs identified by research into Once the video was working on screen, Tsome form of communication via Tthe early 1900s, was bought from a the real challenge was to project it onto writing, as both had researched written local recycling centre. Supports were built the desk itself. Going back to the research word in their original investigations. This underneath the original arms, as they were on Pepper’s ghost, a mirror was used to led them into the world of Spiritualism and unstable. This allowed the designers to facilitate the projection of an image at Spirit Writing of the Victorian era. attach their desk and support. almost 45˚from the footrest to the desk. By The methods used by British members Using a hinge, a desk was connected to cutting a hole in the desk itself, and placing of the Spiritualist movement, including the right-hand arm, which could swing in a sheet of aged paper over the opening, the table tipping and Pepper’s Ghost, were front of the user. A rest was then added for projected image could be seen through the investigated. The latter is the process by extra support. A t-shaped footrest was built, paper, with a ghost-like glow emanating which an image is reflected onto glass, thus and this sat beneath and in front of the chair, from it. creating a ghost-like affect, often in a theatre giving control over the user’s position. This To make the connection to the history of environment. The eventual design was a also provided a place to conceal a projector. the chair, a sliding cover was created in the chair which would essentially simulate a After the earlier experiments using footrest, and this concealed a mirror. As part connection to a spirit, by projecting writing sensors and Max/MSP, it was decided to use of the act, the user who took on the role of onto an attached desk, which locked the a simple pressure sensor and a microswitch Flora Cooke could open this with his/her user into place. While sitting in the chair, to create the interactions. A hand rest, made foot. This played upon the theory that many the hidden multimedia installations would from old brass candlesticks, was attached spiritualists of the time were thought to be appear to give the user essentially the same to each arm. Beneath these, a mobile phone frauds, and were tricking the extremely experience as that enjoyed by the Victorian vibrator was placed. This was sourced from gullible Victorian public. spiritualists The following is the story a local phone store. behind the authors’ chair: Due to the small size of the motors, the h e f oc u s o f t h e installation was motion resulted in a mild tingling sensation on providing visual and physical Between 1857 and 1908 Flora Cooke in the hands of the user. This was passed Texperiences for the users of the was a well-known name amongst the off as an electrical current, to add to the chair. However, some other research groups British followers of Spiritualism. Her authenticity of the chair. concentrated on sound in their pieces. demonstrations drew great crowds who These motors were connected to a relay, Interactions varied from the use of a crank witnessed her communications with a spirit by the name of Katie King.
The turn of the century saw a decline in attendance, and it is believed that Cooke developed a tool to allow private demonstrations at her residence.
Recently a derelict building in West London has uncovered this very tool: a chair. It appears to have been handcrafted entirely by Ms Cooke herself.
Documents discovered have given researchers an insight into the usage of the piece, named by Cooke as the Phantasmagoria Chair.
Under Cooke’s guidance, a member of the gathered circle would attempt to communicate with a spirit using Cooke’s chair. They would be prompted to place their hands and feet on the metal conductors, thus completing a theoretical electrical circuit, meant to collect the which then connected straight into an iCube. system (The Gentleman’s Chair) to the participant’s energy to power a spiritual The pressure sensor was hidden beneath the motion of a rocking chair (The Barrow connection and, in turn, allow the left armrest (above). This detected when Rocker). gathered group to contact the dead. a person’s hand was resting on the arm. One of the most ambitious approaches A microswitch was embedded in the desk was The Amazing Musical Chair. Raymond The spirit would communicate by making support so that observers could sense when Hallowell and Graham Hancock hunted words appear on the paper in front of the the desk was closed. down various parts of old musical participant, which they would then read Jitter – a real-time, video-manipulating instruments, and attached sensors to them out, to the rest of the group. package released for Max/MSP – was used before embedding them in their chair. Using to place a video of spirit writing into the around 20 sensors, the chair allowed the In 1908 Ms Cooke passed away and her Max patch. The sensor and switch were then user to create a tune using six different chair, along with many other tools she programmed to react to a user sitting in the instruments, with varying sound loops. used in her demonstrations, was lost. chair. The video commenced playing once On the 12th December 2007, an the desk was closed and there was weight exhibition called The Museum of Lost In its essentials, this was the experience the on the pressure sensor. This also triggered Interactions Presents Forgotten Chairs was researchers set out to replicate. the activation of the vibration motors which opened to the public. It was held in the
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work, including film, whilst others are delving deeper into psychology and research
The Chair in Action
Queen Mother Building on the Dundee research in the field of interactive media. University campus, and it lasted for three It is hoped that, by the time it ends, the The methods used by British members days. project will have created an impressive of the Spiritualist The entire class was involved in the collaboration of pieces to show the public. movement, including table tipping running and the organising of the exhibition, and Pepper’s Ghost, were and the opening night attracted more than researched. The latter is the 150 people. process by which an image is Each person was given a specific role reflected onto glass, thus creating a and responsibility. The authors, with a Links ghost-like affect, often in a theatre fellow researcher, made up the public environment. The eventual design relations team. With help from the Dundee was a chair which would essentially University press office, the exhibition was MoLI presents Forgotten Chairs Website simulate a connection to a spirit, by advertised in local papers and blogged on http://imd.dundee.ac.uk/forgottenchairs/ projecting writing onto an attached various sites, including the Tate Modern IMD Website desk, which locked the user into place. blog. http://imd.dundee.ac.uk/ While sitting in the chair, the hidden MoLI Website multimedia installations nteractive Media Design is still http://imd.dundee.ac.uk/moli/ would appear to give the user a relatively new degree, crossing Phone|Not Phone Website essentially the same experience as boundaries between multiple disciplines http://www.idl.dundee.ac.uk/ I that enjoyed by the and schools of the University, and has phonenotphone/ Victorian spiritualists. opened an entirely new field within the Interview with Graham Pullin design industry. http://www.we-make-money-not-art.com/ A key issue was making the objects This semester, project work is based on archives/2008/02/-portrait-of-graham- look as if they were, in some cases, the theme of Storytelling, allowing the pullin.php over a hundred years old. group to use the skills developed over the Homepage of Cycling ’74, makers of Max/ first two-and-a-half years of the course. MSP The process involved embedding As they are individual projects, there are http://www.cycling74.com/products/ sensors, hiding projectors and twenty-three different variations of the brief maxmsp adding various controls to the chairs, being worked on in the studio. Picaxe Microcontrollers official Website as well as changing the physical Some students are continuing to develop http://www.rev-ed.co.uk/picaxe/ appearance by using wood stains, sensor-based work, this time using a I-CubeX Online Store : Motion Sensors for sanding techniques and general programme called PD, which is free and is digital Media Control mistreatment of the pieces. very similar to Max/MSP. http://infusionsystems.com/catalog/index. Some are going back to screen- based php
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