1) What information tools & technologies did you used to complete your CyberFair project?
In completing the project, we had changed the way we had conducted before. To create such a satisfying work, we adopted some different methods of art creation in other fields. In communicating the visual image, it's (the first draft) first made by KaiJhin (team leader) and ShihRong with just pens and papers, and then the selected image was scanned into the computer, adjusted by the Ulead PhotoImpact 8. We used Ulead PhotoImpact 8 to make the web page structure and the basic sample of the design as well. And, the Macromedia Dreamweaver MX was used to complete all the following designing of the web page.
During the process of visiting Ciaotou, we used pen recorder to record all the interview. And one of the team members, ChuanCheng, used DV to catch the most real situation. The DV was provided by the school, not his own, so he had spent much time practicing the shooting. The shooting job is not easy, for the shooter had to take care of the light and the sound. In addition, we also used digital cameras catching many precious pictures when visiting some of the famous scenic spots of Ciaotou.
Finally, after the interviewing, to make the film clips more real, the adequate editing and modification are needed. So, WanLing and ShueRu used Ulead VideoStudio 10 to complete the work.
2) In what ways did you act as "ambassadors" and spokespersons for your CyberFair project both on-line and in person.
Language had become an important element during many of our interviews. We had used Chinese common speech, Taiwan dialect and even English was applied when we were talking to a servant of the Huang's during the seeking for ancient house of the Huangs. The polite words for communication used there were strange to us, so language is the first course we've learned during the interaction with other people.
During the project, we had interviewed with the chief of the village and the township mayor. Their clear introduction and explanation of the history of Ciaotou help much in accomplishing the project. To our most surprise, one of the villagers, Mr. Lin, allowed us to visit the old Lin family houses. All the team members are impressed not only by the old family houses' structure, but also the warmth and kindness of Mr. Lin. We had used DV and pen recorder to collect the precious first-hand information. And the chief of the village, township mayor and Mr. Lin also promised us they would get online to check our webpage after the project done!
3) What has been the impact of your project on your community?
To begin with, the project aims to implement the “new tour concept” into the minds of everyone visiting our webpage. And, to make everyone accept this work, we think, the first is to redefine the concept of “tour” in everybody's mind, which is most important. Tour, in most people's view, is just snacks, sceneries and local amusement etc., which should be regarded as a special characteristic of tour in Taiwan but will soon be washed out by time.
Thus, when we were planning the page, we insisted on the concept of culture and history. Many people criticized us for not planning contents like local snacks of Ciaotou when making a webpage about tour. But actually the snack was just one of the factors that influenced the tour of a place and were the recourses most easily to be abandoned by time.
So, we think “tour' is mainly about the understanding of history and culture of one place, of its beauty and lifestyle. And Ciaotou's beauty and lifestyle are just what we want the viewers learne from our webpage.
4) How did your project involve other members of your community as helpers and volunteers?
Our team had received much help from the school and, particularly, parents of the team members. Their assistance of transportation became extraordinarily important when we were busy in between the school work and the webpage. As we commuting between the Kaohsiung city and Ciaotou, ShihRong's parents played the role as drivers and the local tour guide in Ciaotou, which saved us much time for doing research. Team members WenHua and WanRong's family also provided us with many important materials for the interviews, for they have long lived in Ciaotou. Since they were very familiar with the local culture and environment, the information we'd collected from them was correct yet detailed.
In addition, there were still many other villagers willing to help us despite the fact that we might not know each other very well. We owed special thanks to the village chief, the mayor of Ciaotou Township and the Culture and History Association. From their interviewing process, we seemed to have felt their passion and devotion to protect the Ciaotou culture. The response and viewpoints of each interviewee are the very important information. The webpage thus can become so informative. Thanks them for offering us those precious opinions.
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