“The Future is Now” June 18, 2008
Posted by v2plcmc in Uncategorized.Tags: computers, digital signage, libraries, library, plcmc, technology, touchscreen
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These two video highlight some cool new touchscreen technology that is being produced today. It may not be accessible for everyone yet, but, considering the first personal computer was introduced in 1981, we have made amazing advances in that time.
The first video, created by Perceptive Pixel, shows an ordinary wall transformed into a touchscreen computer. According to their website, “Perceptive Pixel, Inc. was founded by Jeff Han in 2006 as a spinoff of the NYU Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences to develop and market the most advanced multi-touch system in the world.”
Autodesk Design on Jeff Han’s Perceptive Pixel Multi-Touch
This video, a promotion for Microsoft Surface, shows how a coffee table-like surface can become a place to share and transfer data using their new “digital interaction” technology. Although the in-home applications of this technology are still cost-prohibitive this is quite possibly something you will see in a bar or restaurant in the near future. This is what Microsoft has to say about this new product,”Microsoft Surface™, the first commercially available surface computer from Microsoft Corp., turns an ordinary tabletop into a vibrant, interactive surface. The product provides effortless interaction with digital content through natural gestures, touch and physical objects. Surface is a 30-inch display in a table-like form factor that’s easy for individuals or small groups to interact with in a way that feels familiar, just like in the real world. In essence, it’s a surface that comes to life for exploring, learning, sharing, creating, buying and much more. Soon to be available in restaurants, hotels, retail establishments and public entertainment venues, this experience will transform the way people shop, dine, entertain and live.”
Microsoft Surface – The Possibilities
Summer Fun June 12, 2008
Posted by v2plcmc in Uncategorized.Tags: computer, flat screens, Hard Rock Park, libraries, library, plcmc, roller coaster, summer, technology
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Now that we are in the full throes of summer, I thought I would add a couple videos to our flatscreens to let our patrons have a “virtual vacation” of sorts (without the high gas prices). What says summer fun more than theme parks?
Hard Rock Park, the brand new theme park (created by the same Hard Rock that has rock-and-roll themed cafes and hotels all over the world) just opened in Myrtle Beach, SC and is making national news as a great destination for this summer’s vacation. To bring a little taste of the park to the Virtual Village, I added a short “rider’s-eye-view” video of the Led Zeppelin – the Ride roller coaster.
Another exciting addition in the world of theme parks is that Disney just added a 3D models of their Orlando and parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney Resorts) in Google Earth. The following video is a tour of Disney World in 3D in Google Earth.
Led Zeppelin The Ride at Hard Rock Park Myrtle Beach
Disney World 3D in Google Earth
Studio i-magination June 9, 2008
Posted by v2plcmc in Uncategorized.Tags: animation, imaginon, libraries, library, plcmc, studio i, technology
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Imaginon, the children’s library of PLCMC, has a cutting edge music and animation station called Studio i. In this studio, children and teens create videos and music using the newest software including iMovie, I Can Animate and GarageBand3. Since Imaginon’s opening in October of 2005, kids have been using these tools to create some amazing animated and live-action videos. The flatscreens in Virtual Village were a natural fit to showcase some of the wonderful creations coming out of this unique library experience. It’s also a great way for the library to expose adults who have never been to Imaginon to the great creative experiences that are available to their children, grandchildren or nieces and nephews. Imaginon even has their own YouTube channel where you can check out more videos made by talented teens in Studio i.
This video, called “The Making of an M&M” was made by one creative kid in Imaginon’s Studio i using stop motion animation.
The Making of an M&M by Ben Berg
Howdy Pardner! June 4, 2008
Posted by v2plcmc in Uncategorized.Tags: libraries, library, plcmc, sci-fi, technology, western
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One of the great things about YouTube is that it allows people to take old movies or tv shows and change them in some creative way to create a video that is unique and original. Artists have been doing this with collage art and musicians have been doing this with sampled beats and songs for many years. To make an interesting YouTube video, you don’t even need to record any new information. By simply taking already existing film footage and creatively altering it, you have made your own video. However, as librarians, we are always concerned with copyright issues and this brings up the question of legality. Is it legal to use another person or company’s work in your video? In most cases, the answer is “yes.” As long as you are altering to make it your own, it’s okay. The Media Education Foundation put together a video on the Fair Use copyright law using clips from the notoriously copyright-stingy Disney. It is both entertaining and does a great job of explaining what you can and can’t do under the Fair Use law.
Media Education Foundation Challenging Media presents: A Fair(y) Use Tale by Eric Faden
The video that I used on the flatscreen TVs, called High Tech Noon, is a scene from an old, black and white cowboy movie with 50’s type sci-fi effects added. Fun!
High Tech Noon by Daryyl Gold
