Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Chapter 6 Graphs, Digital Media, and Multimedia

1.What is the difference between graphics and digital media, and multimedia?
Graphics refers to pictures and images, digitial media refers electronic media that works on digital codes, and multimedia refers to videos.

Tim Berners-Lee Weaves the Web for everybody
-born in London in 1955
-wanted to create an open-ended hypertext system with no boundaries so scientists everywhere can work together
-invented the world wide web
-works at MIT
-heads the world wide web Contortion (W3C)


Painting: Bitmapped Graphics
Painting software:
-paint pixels on the screen with a painting device
-pointer movements are translated into lines on the screen-stores images at 300 dots per or higher

Define Bitmapped graphics.
Pixels: tiny dots of white, blackl, or color that makes images on the screen

Palette of tools mimics real-world painting tools
Bitmapped graphics are pictures that show how the pixels are mapped on the screen
Color depth: the number of bits devoted to each pixel

Resolution: the density of the pixels

2. Define color depth, resolution, and pixels.

Color depth is the ammount of pixels in a image

Resolution is the quality of the pixel.

Pixels are the small dots which make up the picture.

Image Processing: Photographic Editing by computer
-Allows the user to manipulate photographs and other higher resolution images with tools such as Adobe Photoshop
-Far more powerful then traditional photo-retouching techniques
--> can distort and combine photos --> can fabricate images so there's no show of evidence of tampering


Focus on computer graphics
-Digital Photo Management software programs such as apple iPhoto and Microsoft PictureIt! simplify and automate common tasks associated with campturing, organizing, editing, and charing digital images


3. What does digital management software do?
Digital mamagment software sorts out tasks and helps the user do common tasks like editing.


Drawing: Object
oriented Graphics
-drawing software stores a picture as a collection of lines and shapes called object-oriented or vector graphics
-Memory demans on storage are not as high as for bit-mapped images
-Many drawing tools-line, shape and text tools- are similar to painting tools in bitmapped programs


4. Define object- oriented and vector graphics. Whats the difference?
They're the same thing. they are collections of lines and shapes.


PostScript: a standard page-description language for describing text fonts, illustrations, and other elements of the printed page
- used by professional drawing programs such as adobe illustrator article on adobe illustrator and Macromedia freehand.

Bit-mapped Painting (pixels) gives you these advantages
-more control over textures, shading and fine detail
-approximate for screens displays, simulating natural paint media, and embellishing photographs

Object-oriented drawing gives you these advantages:
-better for creating images
-lines are cleaner and shapes are smoother
Ø



Some intergrated programs contain both drawing and painting models
---> allows you to choose the right tool for each job
Some programs merge features for both in a single application
-blurs the distinction between types
-offers possiblities for ammiturs and professionals



Rules of thumb: Creating Smart Art
-Reprogram yourself
-borrow from the best
-choose the right tools for the job
-protect your works


5.What is the difference between drawing and painting?
Drawing uses simple tools to make pictures, while painting has much better results.

Computer Aided Design software:
-allows engineers, designers, and architectures to create design on screen for products randging from computer chips to public buildings
-can test product prototypes
-cheaper faster, and more accurate


6.whats the difference between CAM and CIM?
CAM is when data is fed into a program that controls the parts of the program, while CIM is a almost completed full factory.


-Computer aided manafacturing: is the process by which data related to the product design are fed into a program that control the manafacturing of parts
-Computer intergrated manufacturating: refers to the combination of CAD CAM and is a major step toward a fully anomated factory.


Presentation graphics: bringing lectures to life
-anomates the creation of visual aids for lecture, trainging sessions, sales documents, and other presentations
-creates slideshows directly on computer moniters or LCD projectors, including dtill images, animation, and video clips


Rules of thumb: making powerful presentations
-rmbr your goal
-rmbr your audience
-be stingy with words
-outline your ideas
-keep it simple
-use a consistent design
-be smart with art
-keep each slide focused
-tell them what youre going to tell them. then tell them, then tell them what you told


Dynamic media: beyond the printed page
-modern media constains synamic info, which is info that changes over time or in a responce to a user point
-animation
-desktop video
-audio


Animation: Graphics in Time
-each frame of computer-based animation is a computer drawn picture.
-the computer displays there frames in rapid succession
-Tweening: instead of drawing each frame be hand, the animator can cfreate key frames and objects and use software to help fill in the gaps


Destop Video: Computers, Film, and TV
-analog and digital video
-->a video digitizer can convert analog video signals from a television broadcast or videotape into digital data
-any video digitizers can import signals from televisions, videotapes, video camersa and other sources.
-digital video cameras can capture foootage in digital form
-digital vdieo can be copied, edited, stored. and played back without any loss of quality
-digital video will soon replace analog video for most applicants



7.question what is a video digitizer?
a device that converts videos from tvs to digital data
8.what does nonlinear editing mean?
when you can editi any frame of a video


Video production goes viral
-today most video editing is done using nonliner editing technology
-video editing software: such as adobe premire makes is easy to eliminate extensive footage, combine clips from multiple takes, splice together scenes, create specific effects and preform a veriety of other activities
-morph: are video clips in which one imafe met
amorpheses into another
-data compression/l software and hardware are used to squeeze data out of movies
-audio digitizer:captures sound and stores it as a data file
-synthesizer- an electronic instriment using mathamatecal formulas
-MIDI (musical instriment digital inerface) standard onterface that allows electronic instriments and computers to communicate with each other



9.whats the difference between midi and mp3?
MIDI is a device which allows instriments and computers to communicate with each other, while mp3 is a device which plays the music.



5 steps of a audio digitizer


Rules of thumb: digital audio dos and don'ts
-don't steal
-understand streaming and downloading
-know your file formats
-dont over compress




Samplers, synthesis, and sequencers: digitial audio and MIDI
-multimedia computers can control a variety of electronis musical instrimetns and sound sources using MIDI
-MIDI commands can be interpreted by a verity of:
-->digital samplers
-->samplers
-a piano style keyboard sends MIDI signals to the computer
-->computer interprets the MIDI commands using sequenceing software
-Sequencing software turns a computer into a musical composing, recording, and eiditing machine
-Electriconia- music frdigned from the ground up with digital technology
-->some of the most interesting sequenced music



Dynamic Media: beyond the printed page
-a growing number of musicians depend on sequencers to play along with the musicians in preformances





Hypertest and hypermedia:
hypertest: refers to information linked in non-sequential ways
hypermedia: combined test numbers and graphics and other media in hyperlinked documents
-useful online help
gibe example of hypermedia


10.whats the difference between hypertest and hyper media?
hypertext is linked information while hypermedia is combined text and graphics

11.What is interactive media?
Interactive media is a combination of many devices such as images, sounds, videos, and more so the user can have the best experience.
Interactive multimedia
-A combination of test, graphics, animation, video, music, voice, and sound effects that allows the user to take an active part in the experience
-Requirements: high quality color monitors, fast processors, large memory, CD-ROM drives, and speakers



Multimedia Authoring: Making mixed media
-User authoring programs such as HyperStudio and MetaCard
-Binds source documents together to communicate with users in a pleasing way


Making interactive multimedia work
-be consistent in visual appearance
-use graphical metaphors to guide viewers
-keep screen clear and uncluttered
-focus on message
-give user control
-test presentation with those who are familiarly with the subject


Inventing the future: shared virtual spaces
-Virtual reality: combines visual worlds with networking
-it places multiple participants in a visual space
-Tele-immersions
--->uses multiple camera and high speed networks to create a video conferencing environmental in which multiple remote users can interact with each other and with computer-generated objects
-combines the display and interaction techniques of virtual reality with new vision technologies that allow participants to move around in shared virtual spaces, all the while maintaining their unique points of view


Augmented reality (AR):
the use of computer displays that add virtual information to a person's sensory perceptions


12.Define: tele-immersions.
Tele-immersions is when camera and high speed networks are used together to make a video conference.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Chapter 5

Doug Engelbart
-one of the pioneers of the hardware and software
-in 1968 he demonstrated his augment system:


  • mouse
  • video display editing
  • mixed test, graphing, and windowing
  • outlining
  • hyper media
  • group ware
The Wordsmith's Toolbox

-working with a words processor involves many steps


  1. Entering Text
  2. Editing Test
  3. Formating the document
  4. Proofreading the document
  5. saving document on disk
  6. printing the document
Entering test:

-test is displayed ion the screen and saved on the computers RAM
-save your work periodically because RAM is permanent memory


Editing text:
-navigate to different parts of the documents
-insert of delete text
-move and copy text
-search and replace words and characters


Formating Characters:
-characters are measured by point size = 1/72 inch
-a font is a size and style of type face
-serif fonts have serifs or fine lines at the end of each character
-you can use mono-spaced fonts and proportionally spaced fonts


Formating Paragraphs:


  • margin spaces
  • line spacing
  • indents
  • tabs
  • justifications


Formating the document:
-style sheets
-headers and footers
-multiple variable-width columns
-graphics
-automatic editing features
-hidden comments
-table of contents
-help features (wizard)
-conversion to HTML for web publishing

Word processing is not typing
-use the return of enter key only when you must
--->word wrap moves to the next line
-use tabs and margin guide, not the space bar to align columns
--->text that looks perfectly aligned on screen may not line on paper

Tips:
-don't underline
-use only one space after a period
-take advantage of special characters

Outlines and Idea Processors are effective at:
-arranging information into levels
-rearranging ideas and levels
-hiding and revealing levels of detail as needed

Digital references
-dictionaries, quotation books, encyclopedias, atlases, almanacs, and other references are now available in digital form
-the biggest advantage of the electronic form is speed
-the biggest drawback is quick and easy copying might tempt people to plagrize


Spell checkers
-compare words in your documents with words in a disk based dictionary
---> words might be flagged but you make the decision to Shanie the spelling


Grammer and Style checkers
-analyze each word in context checking for errors of content
-check spelling
-point out possible errors and suggest improvement


Form Letter generators
-mail merge capabilities produce personalized form letters.
-create a database with names
-create a form letter
-merge the database with the form letter to create a personalized letter
--->you can incorporate custom paragraphs based on the recipient's personal data
-each letter looks as if it were personally written


Collaborative Writing tools
-group ware: software designed to be used by a work group

  • provides for corroborative writing and editing
  • tracks and changes and identifies them by the originator's name
  • compares documents versions and highlights differences in documents
Emerging Word tools
-processing hand written tools

-processing words with software that can reliably recognize human speech
-anticipating a writer's needs, acting as an electronics editor or co-author


What is desktop publishing?
-the process of producing a book, magazine, or other publications includes several steps
-writing text
-editing text


The desktop publishing story


  • producing drawing and photographs and other graphics to accompany the text
  • designing a basic format for the publication
  • type setting text
  • arranging text and graphics on pages
  • binding pages into a finished publication

Desktop publishing software:
-image editing software
-page layout software combines the various sources documentsing into a coherent publication
-quark express
-page maker
-adobe


Rules of Thumb


  • plan before you publish
  • use appropriate fonts
  • don't go style crazy
  • view your document through your reader's eyes
  • learn from the masters
  • know your limitations
Why desktop publishing?



  • saves money
  • saves time
  • can reduce number of publication errors
  • offers new hope for every individual's right to publish
Paperless publishing and the web

-paperless publishing will be replaced by electronic media


Electronic books: a handheld device that has books on it


The Malleable Matrix
the spreadsheet consists of cells
-addresses (columns and rows)
spread sheets contain:


  • values such as numbers
  • labels such as columns and report headings
Formulas allow you to create instructions using mathematical expressions and commands

Things to remember when using word processors and other tools:

  • don't underline! Use italics for book and journal titles.
  • use boldface for emphasis
  • use only one space after a period-take advantage of special characters
  • outliners and idea processors
  • help with arranging info into levels, rearrange ideas and levels, hiding and revealing levels of detail



Digital References

  • dictionaries, quotation books, encyclopedia's and more are now available in digital form
  • the biggest advantage is the electronic form is speed!
  • the biggest drawback is that people can plagiarize
  • synonym finders are computerized thesaurus
  • spelling checkers compare words in documents with words in disk-based dictionary
  • words may be flagged, but it your choice with what to do with it.


Grammar and style checkers
-analyze each word in context, checking for errors in content, check spelling, and point out possible errors and suggest ideas.

Form letter generators:

  • mail merge capabilities produce personalized form letters, create a database with names, and create form letters.
    --> merge the database with the letter to create a personalized one.- you can use custom paragraphs based on the recipient's personal data so that every letter looks as if it were individually written.


Collaborative Writing tools
-Groupware is software designed to be used by a workgroup.

Providers for collaborative writing and editing-tracks and identifies changes by originator compares document versions
Possible Word tools to come

  • handwritten word processors
  • human speech processors (Speech recognition software)
  • anticipating a writer's needs, acting as an electronic editor



What is desktop publishing technology (DTP)?

  • The process of producing book, magazine, and more that include writing and editing texts.
  • Also, produce drawings, photographs to accompany texts-typesetting/ arranging texts on graphics on pages
  • Binding pages into a finished publication

DTP makes the production process affordable and easy, and have a sophisticated result
-DTP software: image-editing software, page-layout software, i.e. QuarkXPress.With creating professional-looking documents, one must:

  • plan before you publish
  • use appropriate fonts
  • not go style-crazy
  • view documents through the reader's eyes
  • learn from the pros
  • know the limits

Why DTP?

  • saves you: money, time, number of errors,.
  • offers everyone the right to publish.


Going beyond printed paper:

  • paperless publishing and the web
  • electronic books and digital paper

The Malleable Matrix:
where a spreadsheet consists of cells and addressesSpreadsheets contain: values (i.e. numbers/dates), labels

  • Formulas allow you to create instructions using mathematical expressions and commandsFormulas can be:
  • Relative, meaning that they refer to different cells when they are copied
  • Absolute when the formula references never change when they are copied
  • Spreadsheets offer many automatic features such as replication of data.
  • Automatic Recalculation: in excel, whenever you change anything in the data, it will automatically update itself to those changes.
  • Functions: automate complex calculations
  • Macros: store keystrokes and commands so the can be played automatically
  • Templates: offer ready to use worksheets with labels and formulas already entered.
  • Linking spreadsheets together: when changes are made in one spreadsheet, the data is automatically changed and linked to other spreadsheets.


A database is able to help you search for info, and generate reports,
To avoid making big mistakes when using spreadsheets, it's a good idea to plan on what you are going to write before you add any formulas/ values, and when you do add them make sure you have double checked them so that they are readable. Also predict possible issues that you may come across. Lastly, it's important to use spreadsheets as a decision-making aid rather than a decision maker.

Spreadsheet graphics help one take digits and make them into graphics, like in pie and line charts. Certain data works with certain graphics, like when one uses a scatter chart to compare two variables.


Statistical software: Scientific Visualization
-Scientific visualization software uses: shape, location in shapes, color, brightness, and motion to help us visualize data.
-It turns numbers into pictures, and makes the unseen, seen.
-Visualization helps researchers see relationships that are hard or even impossible to see w/ out tools.

Calculated Risks
-Computer modeling uses computers to create abstract models of objects, organisms, organizations, and processes.
-For example: games, businesses, and flight simulation
-Computer simulations are widely used for reasons such as, safety, economy, projection, and more.



GIGO (garbage in, garbage out)

  • is the accuracy of a simulation that depends on how accurate its mathematical model corresponds to the system that is being simulated.
  • Some of these models suffer from false and hidden assumptions, go astray because of human errors.
  • Making reality fit the machine: some simulations are so complex that researches need to simplify models and streamline calculations so that they can run on the best hardware possible.
  • No matter what, information can be lost, and loss may compromise with the integrity of the simulation and question it.


The Illusion of Infallibility
Truly Intelligent Agents

  • Future users interfaces will be based on agents rather than on tools
    agents are software programs that are designed to be managed, not manipulated
  • Intelligent software agent can ask questions and respond to commands, serve as a guide and coach, and take on goals
  • They teach you new applications and answer reference questions
  • Help you protest your privacy on and off the net

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Chapter 1 Digital Planet

Creating community on the living web
-MySpace creates a online community experience for young people
-Flickr joins people to share pictures


Living in a non digital world
-computers are no llonger a luxuryvbut a commodity
- computers and their applications are involved in all aspects of our daily life


Computers in perspective
-every computer follows the basic plan by Lady Locelace and Charles Babbage
-all computers take in input and take out output

The computers versatility is built upon its:
Hardware: the physical part
software: the information which tells how to do work


The first real computers
1939 by Conrad Zuse
-at about the same time the British government was assembling a top secret team of mathematicians and engineers to crack military codes
-1943
-the team lead by mathematician Alan Turning and others completed colossus, considered to many to be the 1st at electronic digital computer
-1939:iowa state university professor John Atanasoff developed what could have been the first electronic digital computer, the ABC (Atansoff-Berry Computer)
-1944 Thanks to a 1 million grant from IBM Jarvard professor Howard Aken developed tje Mark 1

-John Mauchly and J presper Eckert helped the US effort in world war one by constructing a machine to calculate trajectory tables for new guns
--> ENAC electronic numerical integrator and computer
-after the war, Mauchy and Eckert started a Private company called Sperry and created UNIVAC the first general purpose commercial computer
-vacuum tubes were used in the early computers
-transistors replaced the vacuums tubes starting in 1956
-by the mid 1960s transistors were replaced by integrated circuits



Integrated circuits brought:
-increased reliability
-smaller size
-higher speed
-higher effincey
-lower cost

1971 the first microprocessor was invented by Intel engineers
-the personal compiter revolution began in 1970:
-apple
-commodore
-Tandy


Desktop computers havnt completly replaced big computers, which hace also evolved
Embedded Computers
-special purpose computers: dedicated computers that preform specific tasts
--->monetering your heart rate
-->monetering your house security system
-->controlling the temperature and humidity



The program is etched on silicon so it cant be altered

Personal computer:
PCs serve as a single user at a time
common applications include
-word processing
-gaming
-media

Workstations
-High end desktop computers with massive computing power used for high end interactive power
Portable computers: machines not tied to desktops
-handheld computers (PDAs)
-notebooks (laptops)


Servers
Computers designed to provide sofware and other resources to other computers over a network

Mainframers:
-used by huge organizations, such as banks and airlines for big computing jobs
-communicate with mainframe terminals
-multiple communications at one time through process of timesharing



Supercomputers:
for power users who need acess to the fastest most poweful computers made


The emergence of networks
-connect devices together
-1960 internet developed with backing of the US government

The internet explosion- over a billion of people with internet acess by the end of 2005
-electronic mail
-email software


World Wide Web
-led the internets transformation from a test only enviorment into a multimedia landscape incorporating pictures, animation, sounds and video

Web browsers
--> programs that in effect serve at navigable windows into the web


Hypertest links
--> millions of web pages tied together created by different authors

Internet supports varied activities
-eBay used to make international transactions

In the history of our society we have had:
an agricultural age
an industrial age

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Chapter 4 last part

Interface

interfaces will be built around emerging develpoment technologies such as:

-end of applications

-natural language interfaces

-agents

-virtual realities



File managament

-data madagment can be difficult

--> solution: organize data files logically

-Both Windows and Macs have folder systems such as:

-My Documents

-My Pictures

-My music



File Management Utilities

-view, rename, copy, paste, cut, move, and delete files and folders

-hierarchies help with organization

-help with locating files

-get size, file time and modification dates



Managing files from applications

-operations: open, save as, save, and close



Defragmentation

-eliminates fragements in a file by changing the assignemt of clousters to files



Software piracy

definition: illigeal duplication of copyrighted software

Intellectual property and the law

-includes tje results of intellectual activiteis in the arts, science and industry.
-the information age requires tje outdated and inconsistent intellectual property laws to be changed and adapted

The WIMP (windows, icons, menus, and pointing devices)
interface is easier to learn and use then earlier character baed interface

The SILK
interface incorporated many important emerging user interfaces software technologies such as:
speecha dn language
image
knowledge

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Chapter 4 continued

Software application: Tools for Users
Customer applications
Many software companies have replaced their printed documentation with:
-tutorials
-reference materials
-help files
-online help
Upgrading
Users can upgrade a program to the newer version by paying an upgrade fee to the software manufacturer
-newer releases often have additional features and fewer bugs
Compatibility
It allows software to function
properly with the hardware, operating systems and phripherlas
- Programs written for one type of computer system may not work on one another
Disclaimers
Software manufacturers limit their liability for software problems by selling software 'as is'
Licensing
Commercial software is copyrighted so it can't be legally duplicated and distributed to others
-software license
-volume license
Distribution
Software is distributed via:
-direct sale
-retail stores
-mail-order catalogs
-websites
(not all software is copyrighted such as public domain software or shareware)

Web Applications
Web applications are divided into 7 categories:
1. Some sample web applications preform simple data-processing tasks that could also be preformed by traditional programs running on stand-alone PCs
2. Most Web applications take advantage of the Wen's connectivity
3. Many Web applications leverage on the Web's strength as a huge repository of information
4. Some Webs Applications support online business transactions
5. News oriented Web applications provide up to the minute reports on a myriad of subjects
6. Other Web applications support a more traditional form of information broadcasting

The hardware-software connection
Operating system functions:
-it supports multitasking
-manages virtual memmory
-maintains file systems
-responsible for authentication and authorization

System software:
-a class of software that includes . . .

Utility programs
-serve as tools for doing system maintainance and repairs that arn't automatically handled by the operating system

This makes it easier for users to:
-copy files between storage devices
-repair damaged fata files
-translate files so other programs may use them
-guard against viruses and other potentially harmful programs
-compose files so they take up less disk space
-preform other importnat tasks

Symantic Norton utilities is a popular utility package that includes software tools for recovering damaged files, repairing damaged disks and improving daily proformance

Device drivers
Where the operating system lives
-some computers store their operating system in the ROM
-others include only part of it in the ROM
--> the remainder of the operating system is located into memory in a process called booting, which occurs when you turn on your computer

Linux
-Linux is free for anyone to use
-UNIX remains the dominant operating system for Internet servers
-some forms of UNIX is available for personal computers, workstations, servers, mainframes, and super computers

Friday, September 24, 2010

Chapter 4 Ghost in the machine

Linus Torvalds
-best known example of open source software
--> the source can be used by anyone and anyone can change the code behind it
examples: film and animation workstations, scientific computers

3 Major catagories of software:
-compilers and other translator programs: enable people to make other software
-software applications: productivity tools to help computer users solve problems
-system software: coordinate hardware operations and does behind the scenes work the computer barely sees

Processing with programs
-computers are equipped to produce whatever the user wants

OS vs. Application software
A fast stupid computer
-programmers begin with an algorithm: step by step instuructions
-steps are often ambiguous, error-prone generalities
-steps are translated into the vocabulary of a programing language

The language of computers:
-machine languages: numeric codes that represent data
-high-level language: falls between machine language and human language
--> computers translate high level language into machine language
-natural language: resembles language spoken by humans