The Future of Digital Cameras

By Daniel Balsewicz

The future is always a time of uncertainty, at least when examining it from the present. With technology, and electronics in particular, it is very difficult to determine future developments with any certainty. We have seen many technologies fade into obsolescence instead of becoming the standard for the future. These would include the Zip disc, floppy disc, CRT monitor, and VHS and Betamax cassettes. At this point in time it appears that even hard-disc drives and compact discs may also be on their way out. However, some technologies seem to be relatively immune (or at least very resistant) to obsolescence. Digital cameras are relatively secure in their place as the standard for photography in the near (and possibly, far) future.

Unless some unexpected new development occurs between now and 2025 digital cameras, in most likelihood, will still be the standard for taking photographs. The basic idea of an electronic sensor capturing an image, rather than an analog piece of film, is most likely going to be used to construct cameras in the foreseeable future. However, other parts of the camera, and indeed the concept of a camera may change in the near future.

A change in camera lens design seems to be looming, just over the horizon. Modern camera lenses are all constructed with many glass elements (individual lenses). In order to focus the lens the distance between the elements needs to change, often changing the length of the entire lens when needed. This can result in long, thick, and often heavy lenses for professional use. Even small lenses, like on pocket-sized point-and-shoot cameras need to have complex lenses with multiple elements. A change in technology could simplify and miniaturize lenses without sacrificing quality. In fact, this new technology could vastly improve resolution and quality. The idea is to mimic the human eye as closely as possible. The human eye uses only one lens which can quickly and accurately focus light onto the back of the eye, the retina, which has a curved surface. The sensor in a camera however is flat. Some of the elements inside of a camera lens are assigned the task of flattening the image in order for a flat sensor to “see” properly. According to John Rogers, a professor of materials science and engineering at the University of Illinois, “one can accomplish the same outcome with simple lenses by making the detector curved” (Rogers, 2008). This approach could be beneficial since each element in a lens contributes to a compound loss of quality. This is because each piece of glass will add diffraction to the image, since no piece of glass can be 100% transparent, resulting in a loss of sharpness and overall quality in the image before it even reaches the sensor. This camera design calls for a single lens which acts more like the lens in a human eyeball, and a curved sensor. Rogers mentions that creating a curved sensor is possible by manufacturing the sensing array on tiny ribbon cables which can be shaped into a hemisphere. This design approach alone may be way manufacturers can finally miniaturize lenses and at the same time provide improved image quality. This is only one of the possible developments on the horizon.

In the design of digital cameras there are only two main important components: The lens and the electronic light sensor. Everything else on the camera is merely there to assist those components in capturing images and storing them. As outlined above, camera lens technology still has much room for improvement. Likewise much effort is being put into revolutionizing the digital image sensor. Fujifilm has been developing a sensor they call the SuperCCD. CCD stands for “charge-coupled device,” which describes the way in which photons are converted into electrons. CCD sensors are one of the most popular types of sensor in digital cameras today. This new sensor design uses a honeycomb layout of octagonal pixels rather than a classic grid of square pixels. Fujifilm claims that this design provides “higher resolution, improved colour reproduction, a wider dynamic range and increased sensitivity.” (Fujifilm, 1999). Since the announcement of the SuperCCD in 1999 Fujifilm has developed and used several iterations of the SuperCCD in some of their camera models. In 2008 Fujifilm once again improved upon the technology, changing its name to SuperCCD EXR. A new feature of this technology is the ability to “switch modes” between high sensitivity and high resolution (Fujifilm, 2008). With current technology, a sensor cannot be good at both high sensitivity for low light conditions (without introducing incredible amounts of noise into the image) and high resolution. Fujifilm plans to continue developing the SuperCCD technology and hopes that it will allow for a sensor which allows for both high sensitivity and increased resolution.

Resolution, the number of pixels (or number of megapixels) is one of the most common ways to categorize cameras. Resolution determines the size of images and the maximum sized high quality prints which can be made from those images. Lately however, camera manufacturers have been producing inexpensive handheld cameras with the ability to record full 1080p high definition video. Even digital SLR cameras, such as the Canon 5D Mk II, have acquired this feature. It has taken a while for digital sensors to reach the level of resolution and sensitivity required to record such large video frames in relatively low or regular indoor lighting conditions. With continued development it is very likely that most, if not all cameras in the near future will feature high definition video recording. It is also likely that by 2025 consumer cameras, as well as Digital SLRs will have the ability to record 4K video (“quad-HD” at 2160p destined to replace the current standard of 1080p high definition video).

In the future, specifically around the year 2025, cameras will most likely be leaps and bounds ahead of today’s cameras in terms of image quality and features. Higher resolutions will allow not only for high definition amateur video recording but also for better views of distant objects in the solar system and beyond. Increased light sensitivity and better lens technology will also benefit many sectors of society, including consumer products, astronomy, x-ray scanners (security and medical), and satellite imaging. Of course, not all benefits (or in some cases, disadvantages) of new developments of technology can be predicted. Everything mentioned above is with respect to today’s technological environment and society. The full impact of better camera technology will have to be recognized when it is realized at some point in the future.

Bibliography

Fujifilm. (2008, September 22). Fujifilm announces Super CCD EXR: Digital Photography Review. Retrieved April 4, 2009, from Digital Photography Review: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0809/08092210fujifilmEXR.asp

Fujifilm. (1999, October 20). New honeycomb “Super CCD” from FujiFilm: Digital Photography Review. Retrieved April 5, 2009, from Digital Photography Review: http://www.dpreview.com/news/9910/99102003superccd.asp

Rogers, J. (2008). Camera Lens Works Like An Eye. (T. Staedter, Interviewer)

A Brief Explanation

by Daniel Balsewicz

I chose to construct a Facebook profile for Alexander Graham Bell. The process was fairly simple. My research involved looking through his Wikipedia entry, as well as the entries about his family and his inventions. From there I used Google to follow references further and to investigate the validity of the fact as presented on Wikipedia. I also searched for new facts and interesting notes about Alexander Bell using Google. After I took note of all the facts I had gathered I took screenshots of my Facebook profile.

From this point all that was left was to integrate the historical facts into the screenshots by using Photoshop. I integrated such things as: Pictures (including a profile picture), fictional comments, “friends” (these were: His wife and two of Bell’s real-life rivals), and date of birth. I also added elements of fiction such as status messages and comments. The actual profile page is constructed of a mix of facts and educated guesses. The “interests” section of the profile page is most likely the most accurate.

Facebook Homepage (Alexander Bell)

Facebook Profile Page (Alexander Bell)

The Technological Development of Digital Cameras Through History

by Daniel Balsewicz

Digital cameras, as with most other modern technologies have roots going far back in history. Some technologies trace their roots back to the most primitive tools used by ancient mankind. These technologies today are reformed and improved forms of those primitive tools in a form that readily fits into modern society. Digital cameras are a particularly interesting case of development. Digital cameras today seem to be a logical transition from an already well developed and advanced technology: film cameras. The pre-industrial age not only gave birth to camera technology, it was during this long period where many changes and advancements were made.

The camera was conceived as a camera obscura, which is Latin for “veiled chamber.” The basic design calls for a pinhole to act as a lens and a mirror to flip the image, as pinholes project images upside down. Scholars have been experimenting with pinhole camera obscura technology since around 300 BC. Aristotle studied the pinhole camera technology and is credited with writing up the earliest known written evidence of a camera obscura (BBC, 2004). Ibn al-Haytham, who contributed greatly to the science of optics, is credited with having writing the first clear description of a camera obscura, as well as an analysis of the technology (Wade & Finger, 2001). Many other people throughout history have experimented with the technology throughout history. Johannes Kepler came up with the term “camera obscura” in 1604. This technology allowed the progression of camera technology as well as other areas of science.

The camera obscura allowed the development of photography. Joseph Nicéphore Niépce created the first photograph using a camera obscura in 1814 (Wikipedia, 2009). However, the chemical formula used for the film caused the photograph to fade very quickly. It is believed that he managed to create long-lasting photographs by 1824. All of these photographs were, of course, black and white photographs. It was not until 1861 when James Maxwell took the first color photo that the technology of photographs was able to progress further.

Cameras in the early 1800s used dry photographic plates, and then later wet photographic plates. These were plates coated in light-sensitive chemicals. These were placed into a camera, which allowed exposure to be controlled. These early cameras focused light using glass lenses. They were constructed with sliding sections, which allowed the photographer to focus the camera. At this point in history, which is often referred to as the period of industrial revolution, camera began to be available to more people. Despite being expensive (both to purchase and operate) members of the public could own a camera. It was around this time that professional photography started becoming a common career. From this point onward, society would be influenced by cameras and photographers, whoever they may be, professional or amateur. The industrial revolution also brought higher-speed production of cameras and photographic plates, bringing prices down and allowing higher adoption rates of the technology. Partly as a result of the industrial revolution, the industrial age was marked as the days in which photography flourished. More and more people were now able to have access to a camera and more and more advancements were being made, bringing costs down.

Also around the time of the industrial revolution George Eastman started manufacturing photographic film in 1885. Photographic film would be used as the primary medium for capturing images until the post-industrial age pushes film to the back burner, bringing forward digital sensor-based cameras. Eastman started manufacturing cameras as well, the first of which was called the Kodak. Eastman later renamed his company, Eastman Dry Plate Company, to Kodak in 1892. The Eastman Dry Plate Company, and later Kodak, was known for intentionally developing some of their products with the amateur photographer in mind. The MSN Encarta Encyclopedia entry notes that, “The Kodak camera launched a revolution in photography, helping to open the hobby to masses of amateur photographers” (Microsoft, 2008). The pioneering work done by Kodak and other camera and film manufacturers helped put more cameras in the hands of the general public. Cameras which were designed to be easier to operate helped increase camera adoption rates in general society.

All of the aforementioned developments were leading up the eventuality of cameras becoming a standard household item and commodity. The last development which further encouraged this trend was the standardization of film in the 35mm format by William Kennedy Laurie Dickson, who worked in Thomas Edison’s lab. He simply took 70mm film produced by Eastman’s Kodak Company and cut it length-wise to form two 35mm strips of film. He also added perforations along the edges of the film to allow the camera to mechanically move the film in preparation for the next photograph. The development of 35mm film was simple but changed photography, as well as cameras in a fundamental way. Kodak first started producing 35mm film in 1934 and has since remained the most common standardized film type. Most consumer and professional cameras in the industrial age were designed to use the 35mm film format. Even today the sizes of the sensors in digital cameras are described in relation to 35mm film.

The development of cameras and film during the preindustrial and industrial ages set the stage for massive consumer adoption of cameras. The standardization and refinement of many parts of cameras and film also helped further camera technology as a part of society. These developments eventually led to the development of digital cameras. The first digital photograph was taken in 1975 by Steven Sasson, a Kodak engineer, in 1975 (Gizmag). This event opened up a whole new horizon of opportunities for camera technology. The first digital camera to reach the market was the Canon RC-701, at a cost of about $27,000 USD (digicamhistory.com). Despite early digital cameras having very poor image quality, the technology looked promising.

Ambitious engineering and generous research and development funding by many camera manufacturers eventually led digital camera technology into the semi-professional and amateur camera markets. As digital cameras took over much of the photography markets the shift in technology would forever change many aspects of society. The entire method and process of capturing images would never been the same. Inexpensive digital camera technology allows cameras to be present in virtually all places and in many forms. Digital cameras have changed society by invading our daily lives, literally becoming an important aspect of society itself.

Bibliography

BBC. (2004, December 30). The Camera Obscura. Retrieved March 15, 2009, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A2875430

digicamhistory.com. (n.d.). 1986. Retrieved March 17, 2009, from DigiCam History: http://www.digicamhistory.com/1986.html

Gizmag. (n.d.). 30th Anniversary of the Digital Camera . Retrieved March 17, 2009, from Gizmag: http://www.gizmag.com/go/4717/

Microsoft. (2008). Eastman Kodak Company. Retrieved March 18, 2009, from MSN Encarta: http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761588104/eastman_kodak_company.html

Wade, N. J., & Finger, S. (2001). The eye as an optical instrument: from camera obscura to Helmholtz’s perspective. Perception .

Wikipedia. (2009, March 17). History of the Camera. Retrieved March 16, 2009, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_camera

I believe that the wiki experiment was successful. It is clear that the wiki is full of pages of information (along with references almost everywhere when necessary). The information seems relevant and there seems to be enough information for each of the topics in the guideline for the wiki. In this regard, it seems that our class’ wiki has achieved all the goals set fourth for the project.

The experience of working on a wiki with a room full of people was quite interesting. Firstly it should be noted that this is different from the normal experience of working on a wiki. Normally users around the world would contribute to the wiki. This would occur at different times. Because of the effect of different timezones, there is a reduced chance that two users would be editing the same page. In our in-lab activity this occurrence was commonplace. When this happens, the last person to edit the page must choose to either overwrite the other users’ work, or merge it (thereby inputting even more energy and time) to complete the edits.

Since we were all in the same room we could all communicate both in real-life and through the discussions page on the wiki. This allowed slightly easier organization. We decided to split into groups and each group would write pages on a particular topic. This was due to the above-mentioned problem of multiple users editing the same page at the same time. This problem, and hence our solution of organizing into groups, would not be necessary is we had been spread around the world.

Overall it was a success and a good experiment in wiki development.

*For explanation of the joke in the introduction, simply Google “Still Alive lyrics.”

Part 1 Answers from group members:
Daniel Balsewicz:
http://dab16.wordpress.com/2009/02/05/studio-lab-2-part-1/

Daniel’s Media Log

Mark Augustin:

http://2s1ck4u.wordpress.com/2009/02/05/studio-lab-2/

(Mark’s Media log included in above link).

Stephen Lim:

http://sal14.wordpress.com/2009/02/05/week-4-in-class/

Stephen’s Media Log

Garret Chow:

http://youknowgarrett.wordpress.com/2009/02/05/communication-media-journal-reflection/

Garret’s Media Log

Davide Larosa:

http://dla62.wordpress.com/2009/02/05/studio-lab-2/

Davide’s Media Log

Part 2 Answers from group:

1. The most common similarity between our group members was the use of the internet either through computers or cell phones. The internet allowed us to do multiple things at once and was readily available to all of us. We were able to do research, play games, connect with friends, and surf the net among other things. I think the internet was most common among us because it was available to us everywhere we went. Not only was it available but it was easily accessed and allowed us to find out any information we pleased with a few simple clicks. Secondly, we all thought the positives of having communication media in our lives was that we had quick and easy access to information and we could connect and contact instantly with anyone at anytime. Communication media simplifies our lives and saves time. Instead of searching through libraries, we can simply use Google or other various search engines. We all similarly had the same negatives of communication media in that it increased laziness since we all had endless resources right at our fingertips and didn’t have to leave our homes to access information like in the past.

2. “Only the telephone, among these technologies, is truly people-friendly. Not only is it cheap and simple to use, but it gives the user exactly what he or she wants of it, rather than what some third party wants the user to get. By this definition, the internet would also qualify as convivial”. (Pg.125) This passage is saying that a technology such as the telephone is so simplistic to use that it can do what the user wants it to do when they please. The internet is much like this; it is constantly available to us through various technologies such as cell phones, computers, iPod’s, etc. Free public Wi-Fi is becoming increasingly obtainable wherever we go allowing us to utilize the internet as we please.

Digital Cameras in Contemporary Society

by Daniel Balsewicz

The new age of technology has brought many visible and still invisible changes to society. The electronic age has revolutionized nearly every aspect of daily life and professional work. Notepads have been all but replaced by laptops. Compact discs (and more recently, digital downloads) have replaced tapes. Video cassettes have been replaced by digital versatile discs (DVDs). Today, analog is out and digital is in. It was inevitable that film would be replaced by digital sensors. Today digital cameras have mostly replaced traditional film cameras, both in the handheld “point and shoot” market and professional SLR market. In the fourth quarter of 2007, in the United States alone, 16.6 million digital cameras were sold. This is up 31% from Q4 2006. It’s clear that whether you are shooting pictures at the beach or portraits in a studio, you are most likely going to be using a digital camera.

The advancement from film to digital sensors brings along with it many advantageous changes. Digital sensors have various advantages and allow new developments at the full scale of photography, everything from the smallest, cheapest cameras to the biggest, most expensive. When taking pictures at the beach, in the park, or at a party, you know how your pictures will turn out instantly, not after money has been spent developing film. Pictures can also be erased and replaced with new pictures. It did not take long for memory card capacities to reach levels of storage which allow more pictures to be taken at once than on a standard 24-exposure roll of film.

Professionals appreciate their work being in a digital format already, meaning endless possibilities for digital tweaking, editing, and enhancing in programs such as Adobe’s Photoshop. Instant previews of images allow professional photographers see results immediately, changing variables as needed to achieve their desired effect or effects.

Digital photography has also immensely simplified observations made over long distances. A blog post by technology enthusiast Tom Walker discusses major advancements which made digital photography possible, feasible, and incredibly useful. As the blog post points out, the Hubble telescope, as well as countless satellites, probes, and spacecraft would not have been possible if they did not have the ability to transmit pictures over prohibitively long distances. One area of science where digital cameras have made an enormous difference is in the exploration of the planet Mars. NASA’s Mars Global Surveyor is one of many probes sent to the planet to gather data and images. “…after a monumental 9 years in orbit of the Red Planet… [The Mars Global Surveyor] returned an incredible 240,000 images, including the very first pictures of Earth from Mars. For some people, this represented an enormous technological and astronomical breakthrough.” (Walker, 2009). This experiment would not have been feasible at all if it were not for many advanced technologies working in tandem to achieve the magnificent feat of transmitting photos between planets. The same advances in digital cameras powering today’s sub-hundred dollar handheld cameras made NASA’s Mars Global Surveyor experiment possible.

The development of digital cameras has brought along with it not only better artistic photographs, but has contributed greatly to science. One major benefit, as discussed above, is the option to send probes far out in to space on a one-way mission. Being equipped with digital systems, in many cases including a digital camera system, it is able to transmit the information back to earth without having to physically return itself. These camera systems, as well as many other types of cameras, can also be designed to take photographs outside the range of human vision. This allows scientists to gather immensely larger amounts of data. Some of the ranges outside human vision which can be photographed include: X-ray, gamma-ray, infrared, and ultraviolet light. These ranges of radiation can even be turned into false-color images which the human eye can see.

The main benefit of digital cameras is that they do their task exceedingly well. The task of a camera is simply to gather information. This information could be used not only for science but also for security purposes. One example of this is an X-ray scanner at an airport. Although X-rays are outside of the range of radiation visible by humans, it can be photographed. This photograph (in the case of a digital X-ray scanner) is converted to a black and white image to make it visible. In this way, and in many more ways, the strengths and advantages of digital camera technology offer convenience, security, and provide a means for gathering an immense amount of data and information.

With all these benefits also comes an unfortunate disadvantage which was not a problem for film-based cameras. Film cameras, for the most part, are highly mechanical. A film camera may or may not depend on a power supply. Fully mechanical film cameras had no need for batteries with the possible exception of power for the flash function, but this is optional. Digital cameras, especially large modern digital SLR cameras use high powered rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for their power supply. Although these batteries are rechargeable, they are expensive. There is always the possibility that the user would be stranded with a dead battery and no power source or replacement battery for the digital camera. Developments towards solving this type of problem have been few and far between. However, the ultra-capacitors promise to alleviate these problems.

There are ultra-capacitors in development which would hold double the capacity of energy of today’s best capacitors (Toon, 2007). Capacitor energy density is approaching that of typical modern batteries. If capacitors overtake batteries in energy capacity we may start to see them being used to power digital cameras, as capacitors offer special features never before seen in technology. Capacitors, when provided with sufficient voltage, charge to full capacity in seconds. Smaller, less dense capacitors have already been used in electronics for a while now, and have proven that they can stand the test of time without wearing out. Batteries, such as lithium-ion cells, wear out much faster by comparison. Lithium is also a very toxic chemical, and is not easy to work with. Capacitors would be a safer, faster charging, longer lasting, and cheaper alternative to current battery technologies. This would allow digital photography to continue being an integral part of society, benefiting everyone from casual photographers to professionals, and even scientists and security guards.

Imagine a world where humanity lives in relative technological darkness. We cannot see into outer space further than our best telescopes. We cannot edit photographs using computers. Airports lack real-time scanning of luggage using X-Rays, and border guards do not have the benefit of seeing into commercial trucks and other vehicles using gamma-ray imaging. This would be, to an even greater extent, the world humanity would find itself living in if it were not for digital camera technology. If humanity had not developed digital cameras by this age, it would be as if part of science was missing. It would be as if gravity were ignored and its effects not taken into account in calculations. Digital photography in an age of advanced technology was inevitable. Humanity is truly better off with the capability to record photographs using digital equipment.

Bibliography

Toon, J. (2007, April 26). Nanoparticle Compatibility: New Nanocomposite Processing Technique Creates More Powerful Capacitors. Retrieved February 9, 2009, from Georgia Tech Research News: http://gtresearchnews.gatech.edu/newsrelease/barium-titanate.htm

Walker, T. (2009, January 28). 8 Pioneering Moments in Digital Photography. Retrieved February 8, 2009, from DPhoto Journal: http://www.dphotojournal.com/8-pioneering-moments-in-digital-photography/

2) My most commonly used communication medium was the Internet. I was looking up facts and information all day. I was constantly looking up facts for homework, and in my spare time I read news headlines and articles.

3) The most common purpose I used communication media for is looking up information. This includes facts, articles, etc.

4) I learned that almost all day I am communicating over long distances, often near instantly. This would not have been possible without current technology and infrastructure.

5) It was surprising to learn that the internet has become a utility for me in daily life. Whenever I need it. I just use it and expect it to work, just like I expect water to come out of a tap. This is in sharp contrast to the days when I had a dial-up internet connection. It is surprising because it’s such a different way of living, and I never noticed the transition.

6) Positive implications of having communication media in my life:
a) Quick and easy access to information, facts, and information about the latest events round the world. This means that I don’t have to look up facts in books or search through an entire library.

b) Easy communication with anyone around the world. Communication media such as phones and the internet overcome constraints of distance and time better than any other communication media to date.

7) Negative implications of communication media:
a) Everything costs money. Digital communication technology tends to be more expensive, as you need to pay for both hardware and services. A cell phone needs to be purchased along with a service plan. Internet providers require you to rent (or buy) a high-speed modem as well as pay for internet service.

b) More communication media provides more distractions. Phones ringing, instant messaging windows popping up and making sound, emails and text messages demanding replies. It can get quite annoying and lead to less productivity over all (which is ironic, since all this technology is supposed to improve productivity and increase enjoyment and quality of life).

Without access to all his communication media it would certainly be harder to look up facts and information. I would have to call a store to find out their business hours. I would have to dig through 22-volume encyclopedias (not to mention buy them every few years to keep up to date) to look up information. I would have to walk to someone’s house to talk to them. I would also have to find something I’m good at in the real world that doesn’t involve the internet.
On the bright side, I might get outside more often. I would also probably become more social and my reading skills might improve (from all that searching in libraries and encyclopedias).

9) Since it was not specified what I’d be doing on the island, I’m going to assume that my goal is to get off the island. In which case, I would bring a satellite phone because it would certainly improve my chances of being rescued.

I’ve already mentioned Neal Stephenson’s Snow Crash a few posts ago. Snow Crash is actually relevant to tech 114, and it’s a good book. Neal Stephenson’s newer book Anathem is quite awesome as well. If you like science fiction, you’ll love Anathem. It’s really long but it’s a fantastic read.

If you prefer nonfiction here are my two favorites:

Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner. The full title is: Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything. It takes a look at the world in a new way, using economics (though nothing too advanced or boring) and logic. I loved reading this book and I think I’ll be re-reading it soon.

Another one along the same lines is Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely. The full title is: Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions. This is one is all about decision making and how clever marketing and advertising (as well as inter-person interactions in real life) can deeply affect how you make your decisions…. in fact, if you want to find out how you’ve been influenced (and controlled) and you want to be aware of it to make better decisions, I would highly recommend that you read this book. This book is not only interesting, but it can improve your life through day-to-day decision improvements.

It’s great stuff. They say that 20 years from now, you’ll be the same person you are today, except for the books you read and the people you meet.

- Dan

What are your observations about the way technology enabled, limited, or operated in this activity? What are the affordances and limitations of each media you used?

Upon completing our activity we observed that our forms of technology (MSN Messenger, cell phone, text messaging and Youtube) enabled us to communicate fairly efficiently with each other. MSN Messenger and text messaging enabled us to easily send and remember the message since both technologies are designed for text communication; this allowed the message to be 100% accurate. This also allowed the message to be read easily, because it was just text it did not have to be decoded, decompressed, or decrypted. Both these forms of technology allow messages to be sent to any person anywhere, given that they are logged onto MSN Messenger or have their cell phones on. This limitation was experienced with Steven because he was not able to log onto MSN Messenger to receive the message nor was his cell phone able to receive a text message due to a network issue.

Using the cell phone as a way to communicate an audio based message enabled us to quickly contact each other. The advantage of this technology is that it works at the high speed and does not deteriorate over long distances.

Text Messaging

This allows users to communicate all over the globe, regardless of position. A limitations of the cell phone (as an audio communication device) is that it is sometimes hard to understand the message being transferred due to reception issues or speaker quality of the device. Also the message being transferred may not be 100% accurate because the message. It is certainly possible that due to the low audio quality some words may be mistaken for others. Long messages are also hard to remember when they are passed over the phone, making some sort of “pen and paper” technology necessary to help you remember the message. This limitation was also evident when the class played “telephone.” The end message did not in any way match the original message.

Communicating through comments on a Youtube video

Using Youtube as form of communication was irregular in our case, since we did not have the time to compile a video, or a big enough screen shot file to upload onto the server (Youtube kept refusing the very simple one-frame video we tried to submit, complaining that the file size was too small). We decided to comment onto another Tech114 class’s video from some previous year, as that was the most logical way of finding the message as a text. As with MSN and texting the message was 100% accurate and quickly delivered. The limitation of this form of communication was that we had to find the video itself to see the comment, and in the case of Steven he could not find the video with the comment on it. In a general case Youtube itself is an excellent way to communicate a message through a video, as with the example of “Soulja Boy’s Crank That” video received over 45 million views and over 100,000 comments on that one video, as there are several duplicates. To communicate a message specifically to an individual or group of individuals, as in this lab activity, the group members would have to know each other’s Youtube account names. These would have to be communicated using some other technology.

What kind of additional information or systems did you require in order to deliver the messages using these technologies?

Passing a message through MSN Messenger

For MSN Messenger it was required that we had access to the internet, had the program called “Windows Live Messenger” installed, had access to an account and that we had each other’s account details to deliver the message. Both using the cell phone as medium to transfer the audio and text based message it was required that each of us had a cell phone that was turned on, had reception and that we knew each others’ phone numbers. In the case of using Youtube as a medium it was required that a user had access to a browser to access the Youtube page and had knowledge of the video name in which the comment was posted. Youtube also requires users to log in to Youtube accounts in order to post comments.

Was there a single aspect common to of all technologies you used that operated well, i.e. that made it easier for your message to be spread?

All four of our choices of technology contained one thing in common, the fact that it required a type of network to enable us to communicate, an internet connection or in the case of cell phones a wireless provider. This network allowed us to send our message in either text or audio synchronously to each other (and asynchronously when posting to Youtube). Since there was barely any time delay we can infer that the speed of these messages was in direct correlation with the network, if the networks were to be slow, then the rate of the message transfer would have then be also delayed. Since this was also network based communication it would have than been possible to deliver the messages over any distance and the time delay would not increase noticeably nor would the accuracy of the text based messages suffer either.

Further notes:

Just a little bit of further documentation:

Text-messaging error? Never had that before...

The image to the left is documentation of our mysterious “unidentified subscriber” error which prevented us from sending a text message to Steven.

The Youtube video we used for communication can be found here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LNZZOOys7s

Our notes that we took during the lab activity are available for download HERE to provide further documentation.

So on my point for this blog post: I highly recommend Snow Crash, it’s an awesome book. Go read it as soon as you can. Anyone read it already? I’d love to know, so post comments!

…And I doubted TechOne would be relevant at all. Amazing.

- Dan