Our web site is designed for ISDN or fractional T-1 access,
but can be used with 14.4k or 28.8k modems if you are prepared to accept
the delays! (we develop and test on a 10baseT LAN, but use a 14.4k to upload
to the web server and validate links, and have access to a T-1, so we can
really see the differences) If you use a slower link, be patient, the richness
and depth of the artwork makes it worth the wait! We use new technology
such as HTML 3.2, Java and Quicktime, so you will find the quality of your
viewing experience somewhat dependant on your own browser and computer.
We recommend an MPG-2 (or better) compliant computer with at least Netscape
2.0 or Internet Explorer. Users of older Macintosh computers with 8 meg
of Ram are advised to use Internet Explorer 2.0. If you need to download
Quicktime or an upgraded browser right now, see the Hyperlinks section
below.
A simplified linear representation of our virtual
reality
Netscape 2.0/Wilbur technology
is required for our art to work
Whatever motion and/or blinking
we have is purposeful
Our URL's are verbal shorthand
whenever possible
Our pages have escapes or next
page links
Yes, our pages are often longer
than one screen - would less convey more?
This page is the place to find
the design concept.
This is the only page that follows
the color conventions for hyperlinks - every other page was designed as
a work of visual art - hyperlinks are underlines, the next link
gives the followed color!
We prune & garden
We use whichever is smaller - .jpg
or .gif for stills. Many stills have been saved as small images, then rescaled
to a larger size. Movies are compressed per Adobe recommendations for Internet
transfer. We build them on a PC with capture/compression hardware controlled
by Premiere, then cross platform test them on an AV Mac, or visa-versa.
http://www.arachnaut.org/ has info on what modifications are needed to play WAV files on a Sun - some of this might be generally useful for unix...
When viewing the CD-ROM, it takes a long time for a video or audio
clip to play...
How much memory (RAM+pagefile) do you have? How fast are your hard
drives & CD-ROMs?
Many browsers transfer an entire file from source to local virtual
memory before playing. Our performance was designed around this technology
instead of a streaming play while downloading technology (which wasn't
available (except in beta) until after our show was almost completed. If
you wish to see the movies play immediately, access the .mov files with
a Quicktime player, or use a HTML 3.2+ browser such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer v4.0
Movies take so long to download!
How fast is your data link?
we recommend you not download 160x120 movies unless you use at least
a 28.8k modem, ISDN recommended - the 42x32 thumbnails are much smaller,
and a 14.4k may even work (a personal perception - some may feel even an
ISDN is slow).
Movies are so small, I can't see any detail!
Are you looking at the thumbnails (not available on CD-ROM edition)?
our thumbnails are not meant for detail, just to give you an idea of
movement and sound - the still images and/or text on the page tell the
story. Only the current episode on the internet has the 160x120 movies.
This helps us save server disk space so more episodes are available at
one time. Users of the CD-ROM have the video clips at a resolution of 320x240x15
with CD quality stereo sound.
Can't play movies after download
Do you have Quicktime installed on your computer?
download Quicktime - use above hyperlink
Does your system support motion video?
upgrade computer to at least MPC-1 standards
It takes FOREVER to see anything---
Is your modem active? (is the RD or RXD light flashing?)
You need at least a 9600 Baud modem, 14.4or 28.8K is better, ISDN better
yet
Find out whether your local telephone exchange offers ISDN service
our server may be overloaded - though it has a T-3 link, it often peaks
out in the evening.
access the site before 5 pm or after midnight Pacific time.
Does the browser message give a really low data rate? (under 400)
how many network connections do you have open? More open connections
means more things happen at the same time. For example, 14.4K modems receive
at about 1.6Kbps. If 4 connections are open, you may be downloading 4 files
at the same time, so the transfer rate per file is only 400 bps
at best.
Are you having problems with your ISP?
are they upgrading? do you get lots of busy signals?
How big is their Internet feeder? How many users? etc.
All the pages have the same color background and text -
I
don't see this in green.
Check your Options-General Preferences-Colors
(on Netscape) to see if you have the box "Always use my colors, overriding
Document" checked (uncheck it)
What browser are you using?
You need to be using a browser that at least
supports HTML 2.0 - Cello or Mosaic don't work.
We recommend using Netscape 3.0 or Internet Explorer
3.0 or newer version browser
Our pages are NOT designed for Lynx or other
text based browsing!
I have a problem with your site not listed above
Ask us
,
we'll try to solve it. The more specific information you can give, the
more likely it will be that we can help!
Our
Production Facility for VD2000/VD2001
Hardware
586-100Server
Macintosh 840AV
486 DX-2/66 with Miro DC-1 and Sound Blaster
16 SCSI
586 Workstation
SVHS VCR
Hi-8 Camcorder
Software
Netscape Navigator Gold
Macromedia Backstage
Adobe Premiere
Macromedia SoundEdit 16
Macromedia Freehand Studio
Netscape Communications Server
Corel Draw/PhotoPaint
Adobe Photoshop
Studio (rented)
2000 square foot total with loading dock access,
dressing room, shop & storage
15'w 40'd 11'h studio area with channel/pipe
grid
37 kw 120/240 vac transformer with access to
660 kw 3 phase 220 vac feeder
scoops, fresnels, ellipsoidals
35mm dissolve projection equipment
chroma key blue screen
Other equipment and post-production rented or
outsourced as needed