Frequently Asked Questions
Q What computer and monitor specifications are needed to use the cybertext modules?
A In order to see the intended layout of the pages an 800X600 monitor setting or greater should be used at 256 colors or more. Anything less than these minimums will prove less than satisfactory. (Settings of 1024X768 set at True Color are best.) Web-TV offers mixed results.
If you are accessing through America On Line, be sure to check this link to see that your browser is set up properly.
For the interactive tests you need a browser that "does" JavaScript. Both the Internet Explorer 5.0+ and Netscape 4.0+ are now free and highly recommended. Browsers other than Explorer and Netscape have not been tested and may produce, as they say, "unpredictable results."
Next, if you use the interactive tests, your computer must have enough memory to load all of the information at once. Check to make sure that all of the questions load. This is not a problem with most computers.
An active Internet connection with personal e-mail are required to take advantage of the interactive testing, the discussion forum, and the external links to supplementary information. Information on getting a free e-mail address is available here .
The modules have been checked on various Windows versions of the Netscape and Internet Explorer browsers. Occasionally we get reports of illustrations overlapping text with other software. In case this happens, there is a workaround. You can temporarily turn off pictures in the browser options.
Q Can I print out the text for classroom use?
A This is the most often asked question and an important one. For this reason I have created a separate link to explain things.
Q I wonder about "free" services. Who is behind CyberCollege and the Internet Campus?
A I understand a certain amount of suspicion about "free" Internet services. But there is no commercial or other type of "hidden agenda" behind these materials.
In fact, no one, not even the institution where I work, provides any type of support or assistance for any aspect of CyberCollege or the Internet Campus.
If the materials contain any type of "spin" it is to value freedom in newsgathering and to encourage honesty, professionalism, and social responsibility in TV production.
As a service to our users CyberCollege and the InternetCampus carry links to external services. Specifically, there is the ad-based personal calendar service. However, we derive no income from any of these external services. We have no control over their content or policies and we can in no way assume any responsibility for the content of these services—including any loss of data.
Q Why do you have five websites with essentially the same materials?
A Quite a few people are now using the Television Production cybertext in their classrooms. Occasionally servers go down (although most claim about 99% reliability). As a backup these materials are now available at the following five sites:
Q Is there any kind of college credit or completion certificate for successfully completing the TV Production course?
A I'll leave it to the institutions that use the text to provide credit. It wouldn't be hard to mail out a certificate. The only problem is: how do you know the person really successfully completed the work? Possibly sometime in the future something can be worked out with schools. (But I really wonder if certificates and "badges" mean all that much; all of mine end up in drawers or file cabinets.)
Q How do you know that the people who use the TV Production cybertext will actually "pay" for it in the way indicated [Module 70]?
A I don't. But, even if they don't, possibly by going through the modules and associated readings students will brush with the need to use the medium in a responsible way.
Q How can I develop test questions if the material is always changing?
A Things that change are frequently related to updates and clarifications. For example, material on digital theater and projection was recently added. Since the material wasn't originally there, it probably wouldn't show up on the last version of your test anyway. Worst case scenario: you have to throw out a question on a test. (Just remind students to reload pages occasionally in their browsers to make sure they have the latest version from the server.)
Q Why don't you expand on the topic of.....[many suggestions here].
A Needs are different and striking a balance between too simple and too detailed is always a problem. In general I've elected to cover the basics in the 70 modules and then expand on things through hyperlinks.
Q Why do you have hyperlinks to things not directly related to TV Production?
A Personally, I feel that just having a knowledge of "how it works" leaves a major gap in some rather important areas. To be effective television producers and directors must be sensitive to certain social and political realities—and maybe even sensitive to some social and political responsibilities.
To get a bit of this perspective I require my students to read the local links, but not necessarily the links external to CyberCollege or the InternetCampus. The difference is explained in the test index.
Q I see a lot of animation, JavaScript and Active X effects on web pages. Wouldn't more of this kind of thing make things more interesting?
A Maybe, but there are two problems. First, they take a lot of bandwidth. If you have a T1 line things load rather quickly, but many users have 28 or 33 speed modems. Until the average user of the Internet is equipped with faster download speeds—which is a year or two (or three) away—it seems best to limit things a bit.
There is also the browser problem. What runs on Internet Explorer 5 will not necessarily run on IE3, and what runs on IE5 will not necessarily run on Netscape. Sometimes things will run fine on one browser and crash on another. Many schools do not keep up with the latest browser revisions (even though the two leading ones are free).
Q Why is all the web text in bold type?
A Personally I just find it easier to read—especially on Monday mornings! Some people are using Web-TV (or a facsimile) to access the pages. Smaller text doesn't display clearly on these systems.
Q What's planned for the future?
A A new mass media cybertext is in development. It will be similar to the TV Production Cybertext. You can check out progress here.
Ron Whittaker, 2000
The InternetCampus® and CyberCollege® are registered trademarks.
Closing Credits
Numerous people graciously put considerable work this Internet project, creating new materials specifically for this on-line application. The illustrations were either designed for this project or carry copyright clearance for this specific use.
In particular I would like to thank Marc Levine, Karen Ann McNall and the P.M. Smith Foundation.
