Author: Ryan Seslow

The WordPress Customizing Series, Part 1

The WordPress Customizing Series, Part 1!

***Below is the zoom recording from classes on 4/13 & 4/15 – you can follow along and start customizing your site!***

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/jjU48Kv-JcRyrvqxv1vbRmY3sOA2zPami_gBFI9ebTLSj8rMQJkuU9ehPKFgyB6k.2eK3cZjQUu2TXlYj

Video Passcode: ^0EJ5T8q

From Thursday’s class on 4/15 is below

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/AUOBOl1_cd5fAEMNMN1veRsLrNYpTC9ghBrkmSGinSBsojeoEXInWPoAyxBOcVle.AHmr2-Wh1VkOtCPn

Video Passcode: !$2pj7h=

This week in CT101 we will be focusing on getting everyone set-up with their new websites! The coupon code that you need was sent last week to your York e-mail. By now, many of you got started, you have a new domain name, a web hosting account, and a website framework ready to be built and customized! Ill be helping here with the customizing process of WordPress. This part will have multiple aspects to it. There is a lot to share, create and test. The process is fun and will take a few weeks as you make several visual and functionality decisions about how you would like your website to look. This is play out in context to “how” you also plan to use your new website.

**So, lets publish a NEW blog post this week that shares a statement about HOW you will be using your new website as we go forward. You can publish this post here on the CT101 class site.

My ambition is to make a new series of “how-to” class videos and also share some helpful curated  content from the Internet. We will be discussing HOW we will all be using our websites individually, just to mention again 🙂

But WAIT! You cant do anything above unless you have done this: -> Domain Name Registration, Hosting Set Up & WordPress Installation! <— Please read this important post to get started! (from last week)

Im going to focus on using a popular new WordPress theme called “Twenty-Twenty-One” – this theme is extremely versatile and is great for wordpress newbies and beginners. I highly suggest that you consider using this theme. All themes are different, and many of them out there promoted on the Internet are not free (plus, its always helpful to start with a theme that has a good amount of video documentation that already exists.)

More to come!

 

PLEASE E-MAIL me and say hello, let me know how I can help you! [email protected]

Domain Name Registration, Hosting Set Up & WordPress Installation!

Domain Name Registration, Hosting Set Up & WordPress Installation!

“The Journey Begins!”

**Please read through this post carefully as it contains a lot of important information**

*Coupon codes for the set up will be e-mail from blackboard – be sure to check your York e-mail to get the code. The code can only be used 1 time.

 

**Here is the Step by Step Video from class on 4/8 (Thursday Section)

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/TDTB0GQC0XVP2iIeeOiQfs8eMsD78LVtDr1nFequozzrLIITsCqE1Knep2eTiMqE.2UxTknK0aL5Qbvnb

Passcode: +sQ5c^33

 

**Here is the Step by Step Video from class on 4/6 (Tuesday Section)

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/jFVxZkAV3TEVQmyyO5mawXSFM904IDZ3HTehC-7R_jRzpmzpVwOEBt-STqWAiGFM.0ma0RoR-Uxc7UJre

Passcode: Lj302W#M

 

Last week we began talking about Domain Names and what role they play in creating a digital identity on the web (and as a part of this class.) If you missed the first that post check out our course schedule page under week #7 as it has context and will help make this next step a bit smoother. 

This week we are going to get started! We are going to register a domain name and also set up web hosting, which will allow you to put files up online and will be discoverable through your new domain name! We are going to use a form of ‘shared hosting’ where you get a portion of a server – think of it as having an apartment in a building. With this shared hosting you will be able to do a lot of things including installing your own instance of WordPress (remember, this is NOT wordpress.com but the open source version of wordpress.org) so you can start building your website for your domain name.

We use a company called Reclaim Hosting, with which we have a contract with so you will enter a coupon code and start your account for free.

*The coupon code will be e-emailed to everyone via blackboard on the morning that your class meets during week #9

We chose this hosting company because they have a lot of experience working with students just like you, that are likely getting their first domain name and web hosting account. You will be creating an account just like you would with any online vendor with which you want to purchase something. So it’s not a ‘CUNY’ account, we’re just giving you the coupon code to pay for the year’s service.

You do not need to pay for anything, so please reach out if you have questions – [email protected]

With that said, you will need to provide a name, address, and phone number. Lets go to this sign-up page <— to get started with the domain name selection process.

1. First you will need to pick your domain name, make sure that it is available and make your selection to proceed. (I suggest sticking with the .com or .net extensions)

pick-a-domain-name

2. On the next page, check the ‘add ID protection.’

no-privacy

3. On the next page you should see two items in your cart and a price of $45 with ID protection, you will then enter the needed information for your account and provided coupon code and validate it. (you will NOT be charged for this, its already included in the course.)


validate-code

4. Your total should now be $0. If it is not then check the items and your cart and adjust.

5. You should now fill in your personal information, and select the payment by mail option. (again, you will not be charged anything.)

6. Complete the order and check your email for your account information and a verification of your e-mail, e-mail. With your new account information, log-on to Reclaiming Hosting. You must verify your e-mail by clicking on the link they provide.

7. YOU ARE NOW ALL SET AND READY TO START WORKING WITH YOUR NEW DOMAIN NAME AND WEB HOSTING ACCOUNT!

8. Its now TIME TO INSTALL WORDPRESS. – You will soon refer to the video below (coming after class on 4/6) and follow the step by step guide to install wordpress correctly. 

Coupon codes for the set up will be e-mail from blackboard – be sure to check your York e-mail to get the code.

 

 

**Here is the Step by Step Video from class on 4/8 (Thursday Section)

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/TDTB0GQC0XVP2iIeeOiQfs8eMsD78LVtDr1nFequozzrLIITsCqE1Knep2eTiMqE.2UxTknK0aL5Qbvnb

Passcode: +sQ5c^33

 

**Here is the Step by Step Video from class on 4/6 (Tuesday Section Only)

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/jFVxZkAV3TEVQmyyO5mawXSFM904IDZ3HTehC-7R_jRzpmzpVwOEBt-STqWAiGFM.0ma0RoR-Uxc7UJre

Passcode: Lj302W#M

 

 

Mid-Semester Re-Cap Time!

Its Mid-Semester Re-Cap Time!

**there is a video recording of this process below**

Wow, here we are at the midpoint of our CT101 semester! Time… goes by waaaaaay too fast.. Lets take a minute to reflect, lets take a minute to regroup, lets induce a class reflection!

Let us ask ourselves the following questions, and reflect:

“How am I doing in CT101? What have I learned? What skills have I developed, cultivated and displayed regularly? How does this contribute to my weekly progress? How do I assess my performance through self-reflection in this class?”

This part is tangible and clear as we have been producing results over the last 6 weeks in the form of blogging, commenting, creating visual imagery and participation. Lets take stock, follow me below,

The CT 101 Course Schedule page is where everything is – this is the CT 101 HUB – this is the space where all the assignment and learning details take form each week – (just in case you forgot) – this is where you can recap and catch up –  https://ct101.commons.gc.cuny.edu/course-schedule/

Last week, you will have noticed the blogging prompt under week #6 – “Picking a domain name and discussing the process. What is a domain name? Read this for the assignment prompt – DOMAIN NAME TIME!” This is an important post as it will help us streamline into the website building aspect of the course. The last 6 weeks have been preparing us for this.

In fact, before we move into the next phase of our course, I want to take a week and reflect upon what has already been accomplished. Lets title this assignment The Mid-Semester Assessment Post

Assignment Details:

In a new blog post titled; “The Mid-Semester Assessment Post”, please assess and reflect upon your last 6.5 weeks here in CT 101. Please answer and address the following questions below, and also provide hyperlinks back to all of your previous completed blog posts. This will help illustrate some of the questions below as you tell a compelling story here in the CT 101 blog space: (of course, the use of imagery is helpful and needed but please don’t default to using too many GIFs or memes to fill in the gaps, the emphasis should be on the written word)

How am I doing in CT101? What grade do I believe I am maintaining? 

What have I learned the most? What is my greatest learned asset in this class so far?

What skills have I developed , cultivated and displayed regularly in my posts?

How do I assess my performance through self-reflection in this class?

What do I know now that I did not know before taking this class?

Do I see my weekly blogging work expanding creatively? If so, please explain –  or am I stuck in a loop where my posts seem to look the same most of the time, how will I change that?

Have fun with this! Feel free to include contrasting relatedness in the form of links, images, video or Make Something New to express how you feel about this post! (a technique from the dS106 assignment bank perhaps?)

Here is the Video Recording from class in Week #7

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/LJX1CHqa3ExqX5NWlTMpQmXMDjjITwdB9z5jYNJCW0F3KlVe7Jt3-busUbgMyvUq.7hb0E6iHoI9MoHEx

Passcode: qEP*mG6X

 

Picking A Domain Name!

Domain Names!

It’s time to begin thinking about choosing a domain name  that can represent your digital self! <– (we will watch this video in Zoom class together)

You can’t (and shouldn’t) pick just anything.. this is important!

It has to be unique and also available! It should be relevant – it could be based on your real name, a nickname and or something meaningful to you.

You will need to search for its availability using a domain registrar and you can pick from a number of different ‘top level domains (TLD)’ – for example .com, .net, .us, and .org – then you can have an example like – “mypersonalsite.net”

As we go forward to select and register our domain names (**don’t do this on your own please, I will be walking you through the process in class next week!)

You’re also going to need web hosting, which will allow you to put files up online and will be discoverable through your new domain name! We are going to use a form of ‘shared hosting’ where you get a portion of a server – think of it as having an apartment in a building. With this shared hosting you will be able to do a lot of things including installing your own instance of WordPress! (via WordPress.org and not wordpress.com – they are a lil different)  With wordpress installed you can then start building your website for your domain name. I will cover a series of demonstrations on how to do this and I will record all of the demonstrations and tutorials.

We use a company called Reclaim Hosting, with which we have a contract with so you can enter a coupon code and start your account for free.

The coupon code will be e-emailed to everyone via blackboard starting next week – so I will be reminding you to check your York college e-mail address to get the code.

**This Week’s Blog Post Assignment: Write a blog post that shares a few of the potential domain names that you would consider using for your website. List them (at least 5-10 potential names) and say a few words about why they would be good examples for the website that you will build. 

What will your new website be about? This part is totally up to you! If you wish, you can use the website project itself for a specific project, for example, perhaps you want to share your passion for cooking and poetry. Which means you will be primarily writing blog posts about cooking and poetry. This can also be applied to sports, or gaming, or politics or journalism, or simply put, website that fused together many interests as well as your ct101 assignments.  Share your thoughts, excitements, fears and any other sentiments about how you are feeling about this next chapter in your life as a website owner! Please include a few hyperlinks and or screen shots of some of your favorite websites, let us know why you like them! 

The Internet’s Own Boy – Reflection Post

For a longer reflection post,

I would like you to watch the portrait documentary of Aaron Swartz, The Internet’s Own Boy. Swartz was a prodigy web developer that participated in some seminal web projects – RSS, Creative Commons licensing, and Reddit.

He founded Demand Progress which successfully campaigned against the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) with a broadly adopted 24 hour internet blackout of well know sites like Wikipedia. Swartz was later arrested by M.I.T. police for systematically downloading thousands of academic articles from JSTOR and federal prosecuted with charges of wire fraud and 11 violations of the Computer Abuse and Fraud Act. Facing possible jail time, Swartz committed suicide at the age of 26.

Larry Lessig who was a mentor, colleague, and friend to the much younger Swartz commemorated his life and work with Lessig’s appointment as Roy L. Furman Professor of Law and Leadership at Harvard Law School with a lecture titled “Aaron’s Laws: Law and Justice in a Digital Age.” 

**Assignment – In a new blog post, find a moment in either the documentary about Swartz or the Lessig talk that you relate to as an important idea/moment in Swartz’s work as a programmer and/or activist. Tell us why you find it significant and find/make a visual artifact that represents your thinking as well and embed it in the post.

 

Digital Storytelling Project Flexibility

The ds106 home page image with assignment prompt icons

There is A LOT of CT101 Digital Storytelling Project Flexibility..

**the video recording tutorial for this project can be found at the bottom of this post**

Professor Michael Smith introduced me to the DS106 Assignment Repository many many years ago.. I am glad that he did! 

Now that we are getting comfortable with publishing blog posts to our class website, embedding media like images, GIFS, videos and hyperlinks, its time to push things further with content creation and deciding on how you will go about it.

Prof. Smith wrote the following in a blog post from a previous semester;

“In CT-101 you will have the opportunity to create many, many different pieces of media throughout the semester. Inspiration for these projects can come from a number of places. Two are websites that inspired this class and are hosted by a digital storytelling class at the University of Mary Washington.

One is their ds106 assignment repository which has project prompts that are categorized by a variety of media types (visual, design, audio, video, mashup, writing, fanfic, and animated gifs). You can browse through and sort by most examples completed, most viewed, newest, and more.. 

The second is also a site known as the daily create which gives a daily project prompt to “make something” using various media. If you post the completed piece with tags to the sites they feed from, you’ll see your work on that page as well.

Finally you can also find a particular site that has a media piece and/or project type of interest to you (Tumblr and/or Reddit can be fun for this – Photoshop Battles is a favorite of mine.

Browse through these sites and find two projects that you think you would like to do. One that you believe you already have the skills to do or you believe you could figure out on your own. And another (hopefully of a different media type) you don’t know how to do yet and would like to learn.”

*The ASSIGNMENT – In a New Blog Post – working from the DS106 or the Daily Create site select, describe and hyperlink to two assignments/project ideas and tell us why you’ve chosen them. What do you think you’d need learn to do them? How many of these kinds of projects do you think you should be doing in this semester so that you might learn and build both emergent storytelling skills and use new tools to create them? Why do you think these skills are or are not important? Be sure to actually complete one of the assignments and add it to your blog post. Also, be sure to leave a comment or two on one or more of your classmate’s blog posts! Prof. Seslow will go over a example in our class time and screen record the process.

**Here is the video recording for week #5 – and some insight into handling this week’s blogging assignment**

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/jkGUtEbUUcTfzXdOHPfpzZccydX1RTgMhqFdFwrRo5tN0DKqUYBH7fX-zAS9WhlA.ctHcgbuJh07DAKTk

Video Passcode: 5eyVM$ET

Are Internet Memes ART? 

Are Internet Memes ART? 

Let’s discuss! You know that you want to!

**The Zoom class video recording and tutorial for Week #4 is posted below at the bottom of this blog post**

First – (lets screen the video above in class and then later read the article below for more context.)

Second – The Assignment Details: A New Blog Post is in order.

Start by doing an Internet search for; “Are memes ART?” – See what you discover, gather those links and be prepared to share them in your post. No matter how you cut it, memes are here to stay… but is this good or bad for Art? Is this good or bad for communication? Are memes simply just forms of self-expression? Or are they MORE? Well, why or why not? I want to know what you think. Lets create a compelling way to share our response. And by all means plan to create, search for, discover and share your favorite existing Memes via an image or URL, or embed them into your new blog post for this coming week. How will you craft a narrative between using Memes and your own personal experiences?

**Oh, and, you MUST create at least 1 of your own memes to express your sentiments for our CT101 class! Be sure to include the words “CT101” in your meme!

Perhaps, you will say “CT101 be like…”

OR, “What if I told you that CT101….”

All of this nestles quite well into in new Blog post! (thats your assignment!) Please consider the formatting of this blog post that you are reading right now. Notice how we see a mixture of images, video and hyperlinks that help give context and reference to where we are drawing resources from. (wink).

Some Online Tools for making Memes:

Giphy.com – (create a free account)

Imgur.com – (create a free account)

Make a Meme – work with some of the Internet’s classic templates

Mashable’s top 6 Meme Maker Picks – various tools

More Insight on MEMEs:

The Wiki Definition(s)

A good synopsis via how-to-geek.com

Another Take via theVerge.com

————————————————–

***The CT101 Meme Project will later be exhibited on the NET-ART website as a collaboration project!  Check out some of the other projects on display there now – https://netart.commons.gc.cuny.edu/galleries-exhibitions/

————————————————–

Are Memes the Pop Culture Art of our Era? Kate Knibbs

(I know, I know, its a dream come true assignment!)

Have fun!

**The Zoom class video recording and tutorial for Week #4 is posted below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/3ARxr0X9NphMb77nNwlTe_frHCtIqKWB4G8YKyWCMB7TefNwIRZ4OTKdrVHXOtAp.TpY0sxkstiOgYt-S

Passcode: T6j4m1!!

Assignment #2 – Making our first GIF post!

Making our first GIF & GIF Post Narratives!

Assignment #2 – (scroll down for the full video tutorial)

Exciting times! Lets make some GIFS and explore the history, contexts and potentials of this Internet Culture Sensation! GIFs are obviously here to stay! How far will they go?

But First, and Importantly:

What makes a successful, compelling and engaging Blog Post?

We have a contrast and a result to work from now that we have published out first assignment, looking back, did you cover all of these aspects listed below? (you can always edit and update your existing posts!)

Good Blogging:

  • is thoughtful with your post titles –  How will your audience know what the post is about if you don’t make this clear and engaging?
  • giving your opinions, feelings, insights & philosophies – Ct101 is a platform for you to share, express and discover the potentials of creative writing through media and narratives.
  • backing up your resources, inspiration and research with links, we need to see where the information has come from.
  • proof reading your grammar and punctuation. Its OK to work stylistically, but it should be kept consistent.
  • and always embedding cool media that’s made or found from elsewhere to give context and keep the audience engaged.
  • what could we add to this list?

(you can click on the images above and they will re-direct you to their websites. I did this by selecting the “custom URL” option in the media / image uploading specifications area and added the URL)

Imgur and Giphy are great platforms to explore and create GIFS with! They have a HUGE repository to choose from! In our Zoom class this week (week #3) lets check out both of these platforms in a series of live video tutorials, both Imgur & Giphy are free to use and work with. (You can sign up for your own account, both are free) Lets experiment with both platforms this week as we work on this post. Be sure to share our thoughts on what you think about both, did one work better for you? If so, what were those features?

**Below is the class video tutorial for week #3. Referring back to the video will be helpful in completing the assignment.

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/ER42WjcquO8P9pefKRSi93iV_ujNABYb58bbnCeabTzhprI12PhWm4DQYlsWej8V.na_p_hAUhRoOyNiU

Passcode: LO^q8s&$

*The Assignment Details:

Lets publish a NEW BLOG POST of your own and comment on one of your Classmate’s GIF Posts!

This week – lets create a NEW blog post using your CT101 Author access on our class website and embed a series of new Reaction GIF s that narrates your feelings about our CT101 class so far! How can you tell your story in GIFs so far?

Think about these questions; What did you think on the first day of the CT101? Did you like hearing about the course and its creative content? How does CT101 compare to some of your other classes? Also, address what the potentials of this class are?! (yes, you can make this post as long you wish and make it flow like a story – This assignment description that you are reading is also a BLOG post example of the assignment!) Each reaction GIF that you use should be accompanied by a sentence or two or three of verbiage to help describe the GIF and narrative you are communicating.

**And be sure to also comment on one of your Classmate’s GIF Posts!

Here is an example of me responding in GIF expressing above : “Demonstrations and examples will be shared and executed in our class Zoom lab time, don’t miss it!” (and if you do miss it, Ill post the video tutorial from class here below) Sinister audio fades in and out as Skeletor GIFs himself into oblivion!

Lets get started!

**PS – Here is a handy tutorial on how to make a GIF from a YouTube URL using Imgur from Prof. Smith a few years back –  My first GIF post

How do you say it / pronounce it? Gi-f or Ji-f?

The battle continues! And the Internet will not ever let us 

Oh, and what about some GIF history?

Here is the WIKI for the GIF file format – its a good read.

Smithsonian – History of the GIF

Mashables take on the History of the GIF

A good article for WIRED on the 30th Birthday of the GIF

**In case you missed it above – Below is the class video tutorial for week #3. Referring back to the video will be helpful in completing the assignment.

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/ER42WjcquO8P9pefKRSi93iV_ujNABYb58bbnCeabTzhprI12PhWm4DQYlsWej8V.na_p_hAUhRoOyNiU

Passcode: LO^q8s&$

Assignment #1 – Internet Happiness?

Assignment #1 –

What Makes You Happy on the Internet?

Now that you are signed up for the commons and the CT101 website, its time to begin experimenting with the wordpress blogging editor! Remember, all of the assignment content that you see here is an example 🙂

Your goal for this week will be to read and follow the info / links listed in our class calendar for Week #2. Absorb the information and then begin to prepare and gather all of needed media, images, links and content to create and publish your first blog post here on our class website!

(This assignment was created by Professor Michale Smith a few years ago, it still holds true as a great example and ice-breaker for our first blogging assignment.)

Prof. Smith asserts;

“In your first blog post, take the time to introduce anything you want about yourself and describe a piece of the internet that is “making you happy” this week. Share what the content is about, the media format, and the online space in which is was discovered. Make sure it’s something you can ’embed’ in your post and be sure to link back to the original source of the the item.

Below is an example:

I discovered recently a writer who made side-by-side comparisons of frames from the Simpsons with frames from the original movies that inspired the cartoon. I love this kind work because it shows how culture is seemingly endlessly recycled and remixed.

Here’s the original, famous “shower scene” from the 1960 film Psycho:

Here is another example of this assignment that Prof. Seslow made from the Fall of 2020, hope this helps as inspiration 🙂

Assignment #1 – Prof. Seslow’s Example – Internet Happiness

 

Getting Signed Up and Signed Into the CT101 Website!

Getting Signed Up and Signed In to the CT101 Website & the CUNY Academic Commons.

Welcome back Digital Storytellers!

Please wait and follow along with me during our zoom class session to get signed up (if you can wait). 🙂

As we know, a big part of CT101 is the class the website. It is where you will begin your active role as an “Author” of our CT101 community and where you will be publishing most of your class work and assignments. You will also become a part of the CUNY Academic Commons Community (Im a big fan!)

**First things first, It is super important for you to have access to your York College E-mail Address, and to make sure it works! 

You will need to have access to it in order to sign up for our CT101 web site and the CUNY academic commons. If you need assistance with setting this up do not hesitate to contact the York College help desk at 718-262-5300 as needed or at helpdesk@york.cuny.edu

 

Lets Get Started!

We must follow the sign up steps in the order below (I will demonstrate the process in our Zoom classes on 2/9 & 2/11 and record it to post here after class.)

*Remember, you must use your CUNY e-mail address for this!

1. We will Sign Up for the CUNY Academic Commons Here – simply fill in the form and complete the sign up! You will receive an e-mail to verify your account. Do so!

2. After you sign up for the CUNY Academic Commons please Sign Up for CT101 and use the SAME username and e-mail address into this form <– this info will allow for me to send you a direct invite request from our class website to become an Author of the website. Please accept the invite when it arrives via e-mail.

And then….

Its time to “log in” and get blogging. The log-in prompt is always located in the main navigation menu area of the website (depending on the device that you are viewing the site in, you will see it in upper right hand corner of the page via desktop or laptops, but mobile devices may see the log in prompt on the left side of the page, either way, click “Log In” and enter your Log In credentials. 

 

VIDEO Tutorial:: The link below is a screen recording from class on 2/9

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/9dIaXqVJjQzpkzW-xY0rvZXKz6BtFFcYcQoCeLUM-Fdwf-CLKfa5W5j5OYoMTIhh.hUuOIaKGhKx-8kH6

Video Passcode: &3VtgV@t

 

– Be sure to use the password when accessing the recording. The video will help you retrace your steps if you need to, and the video is also for students who are not attending the zoom sessions

You cant start blogging here on CT101 until you have completed the sign up process above.

The first blogging will assignment will also be added to our class schedule later today on 2/9. Please come back and check on it to get started!

More to come!

 

Welcome to CT101 – Digital Storytelling! Spring 2021

an old TV from the 1980s hosts the Digital Storytelling course title program

Welcome Everyone!

I hope that you are safe and healthy! Here we are:

CT101 – Digital Storytelling! The Spring Semester of 2021

Ok, this blog post is a lot things, but first and foremost it is a welcoming! Im excited to meet everyone and share our 1st class session to connect and learn about each other. That’s Nyle DiMarco below, he’s a Deaf Actor and Artist, he is showing us how to say: “Nice to Meet You” in American Sign Language. Im also Deaf and Hard of Hearing, so you can expect to learn some ASL and see more ASL GIFs this semester! I hope that you like animated GIFS, we are going use a lot of them here, and make them too! We are going to spend a lot of time discussing ways that we communicate.

an animated GIF of Nyle DiMarco signing "Nice to Meet You" in American Sign Language

There is a lot of compelling content to cover, which will happen in many ways! Lets start this week with a real time Zoom class at 10AM (the zoom link and PW is already posted on our Blackboard course page and sent as an announcement to your CUNY e-mail address.) Keep in mind, there are two individual sections of this course that both follow the same assignment criteria and also uses the same class website. You are only required to follow the day and section that you registered for, but if you wish, you can join in more. I will explain all of this as we go forward with our first week or two of classes.

**This is the direct URL / Link to our class Website – https://ct101.commons.gc.cuny.edu/

That link above, that is where EVERYTHING is happening for CT101. 

kermit the frog rigorously typing - animated GIF

The Class Structure – CT101 will be taught both synchronously and asynchronously and you will decide what method works best for you. I am here to help you be the best that you can be in our course. And we are all here to do the same for each other. Our class is a community! The nature of our course is already acquainted with the structure that you see here. (This Internet thing…) A big part of our class is exploring your creativity and being experimental with the Internet! Plus, we will learn about the evolving array of digital tools that are available to us. We do quite a bit of the creative work from our own personal work spaces as we integrate the class work into our lives. Please know, I will screen-record each and every assignment’s description, how-to’s and tutorials and share those videos here on our website. Please think of this website as a repository of information, energy and inspiration for the course (and beyond!)

The Class Website – Our class website takes place on the CUNY Academic Commons! You will soon discover that the Commons is a huge resource and regular source of inspiration and community! Im excited to share this with you all.

**This Week’s Assignment – In the comments section below (scroll down to the bottom of the page) Lets leave our first Comment. Introduce yourself! Tell us a bit about yourself, What is your name? What you are studying here at York College and anything else that you wish to share (favorite movies, activities, ice cream flavor perhaps? Favorite place to visit on the web? What are you most interested in at this moment? Etc..) Feel free to add links too!

**PS -I moderate all the comments to make sure that spam bots don’t spam us into oblivion! If may take a few minutes before your comment shows up, no need to submit it twice if you don’t see it appear right away :))

Also, please explore this website, read through the syllabus and some of the course resources, it will be super helpful in the next coming weeks.

 

*CT101 Final Blog Post & Course Completion Information*

CT101 Final Blog Post & Course Completion Information

**Please read all of the information below carefully & mark your calendars**

Please e-mail me with any questions at – [email protected]

Im always here to help.

Here we are in the final 2 weeks of our Fall 2020 semester. I wanted to get things set in advance to help and give everyone enough time to complete our course. Please know, I am here to help in anyway that I can. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. Please know, it is not too late to catchup if you are a bit or even far behind.

The last day of classes is Wednesday December 9th but I will be hosting a live Zoom session scheduled for Thursday December 10th from 10AM -12PM to serve as a platform for those who have specific questions, need help with troubleshooting their websites and helping clarify anything to help us complete the semester. (the zoom link info is the same as always) As you know, the Zoom sessions are not mandatory but serve as a synchronous space for our class meetings. Most class sessions have video tutorials that are recorded and added to the weekly blog posts on our class calendar page here.

**Final Blog Post Submission Guidelines**

Please make sure you follow each step below – Each student will write and publish a Final Course Reflection Blog Post. (The details are below)

You will publish this post to the CT101 website. You will E-Mail the direct link of this blog post to me – [email protected] no later than Friday December 18th by 12 pm – Noon, please. 

*Please do not e-mail the final blog post link to me before Tuesday December 15th.

*The e-mail subject should say: “CT101 Final Blog Post/Your First & Last Name”

Here is the e-mail subject example – CT101 Final Blog Post / Ryan Seslow

Here is an example below for finding a blog post’s direct URL – (this is the direct link to the content you see at the moment in the web browser address bar at the top of the browser) The post must be published in order to copy it and paste it into your e-mail to me – it would look something like this below.

*Your final blog post is Mandatory, it serves as our final exam and final project and it must include the information stated below:

Your final blog post will be a detailed narrative and re-cap of what you have learned in CT101, and a reflection and assessment of what grade you have earned in our class and why you deserve that grade? (Yes, you must include this part!) 

What did you enjoy about our class and how you will apply your new skills into the world. Will you maintain and keep up your new website? If so, how? If not, Why not? Your final blog post should include a culmination of supporting images, GIFs, hyperlinks and writing. Please let this post display the best of your skills sets learned and applied! (The post must include more than 1 single image, GIFs, Hyperlinks and supporting Verbiage! Make it your BEST work!)

*Final Website Link & Description –  As a part of the final blog post each student will be sharing their new website link URL (your domain name) and will give a brief descriptive tour of their website and share how the website is being used, plus a few words on your successes, frustrations and an over-all assessment of building and having a website. (If you did not build a website this semester you must state that in your final post.)

**Not mandatory, but if you would like the opportunity to present your final blog post & website to me during a Zoom session next Tuesday the 15th or Thursday the 17th @ 10am – 12pm I will be in Zoom and happy to meet with you there!

*The Final Blog Post submission requirements as stated above are Mandatory, please let me know if you have any questions.

All questions should be sent to – [email protected]

Im here to help!

So, What is Copyright?

This week, lets delve into copyright… So, What is copyright?

From the content below (and there is a lot of great stuff to explore) please select a blogging prompt to respond to – you should respond to at least one but of course you can respond to all of them!

Why is there copyright?

How much should users of the web think about copyright as you and others share, re-share, and remix content on the web?

What is fair use? Think about these questions and watch Larry Lessig’s TEDTalk  – How creativity is being strangled by the law. 

**Assignment Option #1– In a new blog post, find a quote from the Larry Lessig talk (link above) that you find compelling and tell us why. Also respond to the questions posed above. 

 

 

As a further reflection on “fairness” and fair use consider two cases that actually tangled with the legal system under copyright law. First, Andy Baio a software developer for Kickstarter writes and speaks about his experience being sued by a photographer and is forced to settle and pay thousands of dollars. This is despite the fact he believes the law is on his side and so does his pro-bono counsel the EFF.

 

https://www.creativemornings.com/talks/andy-baio/2  <- link to the video

 

Second famous appropriation artist Richard Prince is sued by photographer Patrick Cariou for Prince’s use of Cariou’s photographs in a number of collages. At first the courts sided with Cariou the photographer, but then on the appeals court reversed the decision in favor of the Prince’s remixes being fair use.

**Assignment Option #2 – In a new blog post, find a quote from both Andy Baio’s case and Richard Prince’s case that you agree with, disagree with, or both. Tell us why. Also tell us whether you think law around fair use is working. How would you change copyright law and fair use if you were in charge. 

**Assignment Option #3– In a new blog post – Digital Storytelling Prompt on Fair Use – Create an image, GIF, video, and/or piece of audio that reworks a quote and/or image found in any of the linked essays or videos above. Think about possibly creating a poster that uses an image and quote (https://photopea.com will help). Or create a video or audio remix that samples from the Andy Baio and/or Larry Lessig talks. Or maybe come up with something on your own that is inspired by these discussions. In your post, remember to use hyper-links to reference texts incorporated in your work as well as give context to the work.

Have Fun!

Vaporwave + Creative Tools = Storytelling ENERGY!

Soooo, what is Vapor Wave?

**The Digital Art Making Tutorial / Recording from class on 11/19 is at the bottom of this post – scroll down to follow along please**

Well, before we dig in, I blame professor Michael Smith for getting me hooked on the Aesthetic! Did I just say “aesthetic”? It all started when I saw that he created this post and assignment for a previous CT101 class that we were team teaching:

(PS – The assignment details are at the bottom of this post!)

Prof. Smith went on to say:

“I saw this morning’s DS106 Daily Create and thought of the Vaporwave Aesthetic (read the wiki – it helps) and thought I’d share my interest in it. It’s an amalgam of retro culture remix focused on the commercial aesthetics of 1980s and early 1990s – VHS artifacts, Glitch art, a little greek classical sculpture, 90s web design, low poly 3D computer graphics, and more. It’s a fairly recent phenomena starting around 2010, but there’s already a brief history video if interested.”

I updated the video link to another variation as the original video from a few years ago was removed.. but if you go to YouTube and do a search for “VaporWave”, well, down the rabbit hole you will go!

Prof. Smith is also responsible for introducing me to the infamous but yet now very famous – KIDMOGRAPH – a motion graphics artist based in Argentina who continues to dominate the Motion Graphics world in many many ways! Including inspiring tons and tons of artists and designers of all types, all over the world.

“There’s a Tumblr by the handle KIDMOGRAPH that’s a personal favorite GIF artist in this particular genre. Here’s an example of his work which incorporates low polygon 3D models.”

KIDMOGRAPH is also on Instagram of course – here

Prof. Smith made a few cool examples below using some mobile and web applications, Ill also go a over a demonstration in our class! (Below)

“If you’d like to attempt to create vaporwave styled piece, consider using this – I like this Trianglify Generator to create low poly backgrounds or how about a low polygon generator from images. I made this remix from an NYPL Vulture archive image.”

“This I then took into a couple apps Ultrapop and Ultrapop Infinite to recolor and then to animate the images using ImgPlayPro all on the iPhone”

vulture-pop

“There are a lot of other influences to consider in vaporwave such as 90s windows application interfaces and greek classical sculpture. Have a stab at this AE S THE TIC.”

We actually do a lot using https://photopea.com as an interface to make some digital art pieces, there are tons of transparent graphic assets out there on the web, ill share the process in class this week!

(Ryan’s photopea.com examples made in class – above)

Below – watch the video tutorials made in class

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/a260thZlEXuVuFR4f63ebkQqXCo_cV67k5Rv9fSkOR7gn_TBLT2zknTCuOCFzaR1.yOxtZJM_n4OYyy0j

Passcode: *3cBkkh?

 

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/D1Jr6vaq8PlhV679LpVWLiaQJr-_zgqqT4S9qq5z4AaJKmM-vfWj–KppqxgSJtR.eFOXAuiNR3peFvwc

Passcode: vs=Zt1Pk

 

The ASSIGNMENT: In a new blog post, review this blog post and its content! Describe what you see and perceive, what is Vapor Wave? Do you love it? Hate it? Somewhere in between? Will you review the vaporwave aesthetic from a journalists perspective? Or will jump in as an artist and make some VAPORWAVE digital art? Will you do both? Either way, lets get to work and share this creative project on CT101 (and your personal websites if you wish! Be sure to check out the vaporwave student gallery here from CT101 students in the past!