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Home » DTC 375
Welcome to my ePortfolio for Digital Technology and Culture 375.
Class Information:
Professor: Bill Condon
Section: 1
Class Time: Tu/Th 2:50pm-4:05pm
Over the course of this semester in Digital Technology and Culture 375, I’ve enhanced my understanding of many of the topics related to the problems or benefits related to the information technology field. Many of these issues I was already aware of, but this class has definitely broadened my understanding of them. The topics I covered as part of our group presentations were convergence and virtual reality. For my issue paper I covered issues relating to digital rights management. Two of these issues, virtual reality and DRM, I was previously well versed in, however all though I knew of convergence, I was not well informed on the benefits and negatives of the subject.
My favorite group presentation was the virtual reality group. Not only did I enjoy the people I was working with and like the topic, I also felt like I learned quite a lot during my research. Most of my virtual reality studies or research previously had been related to gaming, and the potential to impact the games market. These impacts included wide screen projectors in headsets, different types of controllers, and so on, but this group enhanced my understanding of the medical and military based applications of virtual reality systems. I previously knew of some military aspects, such as using computer “games” for tactical advancement and troop management, and real time combat games. I was unaware however of just how advanced machine simulators had become. It is now possible to almost fully simulate the feel of driving and firing a high end tank or fighter jet, without putting the risk of billions of dollars of research and creation into untrained hands. While old simulators gave a moderate introduction to the feel, these new simulators can achieve pitch, vibrations, firing patterns, and a whole array of possibilities that I had thought previously impossible. In the medical world, doctors can train with robots that simulate the actual feel and movement, or problems, of massive surgeries on patients. While cadavers have worked in the past, these cadavers cannot simulate a major problem occurring on the table, where as a simulation can. It can even do it realistically.
With the convergence group, I was focused on the modern applications of automotive convergence systems. I already knew quite a bit about some of these systems, but I was unaware of all the advancements companies like Cadillac had made over the last few years in their built in navigation units. These systems combine all the features that had been made for cars third party over the years, such as; Bluetooth, GPS, digital displays, traffic information, and the audio systems, into one easy to use all-in-one computer controlled unit. It was amazing to see the benefits for convenience and safety these systems have now created for the average motorist. I also learned in this group the potential for business and technology convergence. These mergers can create new and interesting combinations of products that make things both easier to use and more affordable for the end market consumer.
My digital rights management issue paper was the topic I was most interested in over this semester. This topic has always been very interesting to me, as I watch a business model with a stranglehold on profit slowly erode away as it refuses to accept and adjust to new technologies. I was able to learn about the new strives made in both technology and artist involvement to eliminate the many problems plaguing DRM, but also about the many blocks still in place and being developed to try and stop or slow digital media from joining the new internet age. Hopefully, and as discussed in my paper, new resolutions will soon be made to put a halt to the problems presented and created by digital media, and its availability on the internet.
Overall, I had a lot of fun in this class. The open ended group presentations were generally insightful, and being able to ask questions and respond back and forth with these “experts” gave both information and perspective that would otherwise be impossible in a simple lecture. Being able to combine media such as movies and audio files with these presentations also helped define what the class was truly about as a Digital Technology and Culture course. It was interesting to see others perspectives on these topics, and look forward to more classes taking this open ended approach instead of the standard read a text style of instruction.