We've started testing this unit for various academic applications. The iPod works flawlessly. It synchs music files from your computer automatically and seamlessly. It also mounts reliably as a hard drive. One major drawback, however, is the inability to manipulate the loaded song files in the Finder. Synching is a one-way process that basically dumps the contents of the "songs" folder on the desktop machine into the iPod. These reside in an invisible partition which cannot be accessed from the desktop. These limitations would make it v. difficult to trade data files (e.g. birdcalls) from one student to another. This would not be the case for any of the files on the "normal" part of the iPod drive.
We've tested a number of combinations of hardware and software in various environments. We've found that intra-campus, the difference between firewire (ieee 1394) and USB cameras is significant. The Firewire hardware yields far better, less choppy video. Over the internet at large, however, network slowdowns render much of this distinction moot. Finding appropriate software was somewhat challenging in that most of the available programs are aimed at consumers and traditional corporate businesses. In general, the software contains features that are less than useful for academic users (e.g. chat rooms). After trying several programs, we've settled on VideoLink Pro. This package offered the simplest interface and the most reliability.
Several copies of this image-asset management software were purchased and distributed to various faculty in biology, music and anthropology. To date, the program appears to be useful to faculty who are managing large image collections for research or teaching. On the whole, this application seems a better solution than existing and built-in software.
The equipment works well, though only on newer (G3 or better) systems. Initial faculty response to the hardware/software is very positive, with a number expressing interest. Potential applications include field work, on-campus lab work and time lapse data collection. Several faculty have expressed interest in using the equipment next semester.
Cameras
Olympus Camedia C-5050 digital still cameras: These were made available for faculty for check-out. They have been used very extensively. Many faculty borrowed them for a day or so to solve small problems such as documenting an art show or quickly providing images to students. They were checked out for longer periods by fourteen faculty representing seven disciplines from American Studies to Economics A number of faculty used the cameras to create or contribute major projects. For example, an economics professor used a digital camera to capture images of real estate for a study she was doing on the effects of environmental regulation on property values. In another case, American studies professor Laura Arnold used the camera to document Jewish neighborhoods in New York; she was then able to easily use the images in her classes. Lastly, the cameras were also used by the instructional technologist in classes on digital imaging. As a result, several faculty (or their departments) have acquired their own cameras for regular use.
Palm Pilot Tungsten T handheld computers
These were made available to faculty for check-out and were set up in the Faculty Multimedia Lab for use there. One faculty member in particular, psychology professor Allan Neuringer, made extensive use of the devices. After his initial exposure to the device, Neuringer developed a study to research mood which would use Palm Pilots as data collectors. He was able to use the Murdock purchased units to investigate programming languages and to develop his research tools. Over the course of about three months, Neuringer tested the Palms for their suitability in the research environment, including ease-of-use, durability, storage capacity and interface with Mac and Windows machines.
In addition, the Palms were investigated by a number of faculty with an eye towards future projects. For example, Anthropology professor Charlene Makley explored language software packages she could use for her field work in China and Tibet. Classics professor Walter Englert investigated the use of Palm "ebooks" as a possible substitute for regular books.