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I need Anandtech Off-Topic's collaborative ideas for a DIGITAL YEARBOOK

H

Hoeboy

Banned
Okay here's the deal. I'm currently only a teacher's aide for a 5th grade classroom but for the past year, this job has inspired me to ditch engineering and go into the teaching field. Time has gone by so fast and there is really only 2 months left until school is over. Working at this job has done more for me than I could have ever hoped for. It unveiled my love for kids and teaching as well as brought back many nostalgic moments in my childhood.

So, I want to make this year special. I want to give each and every kid in my classroom something that is worth more than anything in this world. I want to give them a piece of their childhood memory through a digital yearbook, since at the 5th grade level, they don't really have yearbooks. I have many fond memories back in 5th grade, but I don't really have anything to show for it. I don't want this to happen to them because I KNOW that 10, 20, 30, 40+ years from now, they'll look back and will appreciate that they have something physical to look at in their childhood.

Let me explain so far what I'm planning to do and what I mean by a digital yearbook. I recently got a digital camera earlier this year and started taking some pictures. Most of it is special occasions and field trips. But I want to expand beyond that into everyday stuff that the kids do (i.e. recess, lunch, even detention, etc.) So first of all I want to take individual pix of everyone in the classroom and have each one fill out an info card. Then I'm gonna photoshop the pix and info together, kinda like a bios on each kid. I'm also thinking about following each kid around each day to capture pix of them in their solo activities; sorta like giving them each individual photo shoot. Then I'm also gonna throw in special occasion pix as well as daily pix. In total, I hope to have a couple hundred pix.

Sounds like a plan but I need some ideas on how to put these pix and organize it onto a CD. I'm pretty sure about half of these kids don't even have a computer but that doesn't matter. They can still save it and I'm pretty sure they'll get a computer sometime in their lifetime 😉 BUT the problem I forsee is that probably 99% of these kids or their parents don't know how to view a picture from a CD. Thus I need to find a way to somehow make it easy for them to navigate the pictures. I don't really know how to program in any language either. I can probably do basic HTML so I was thinking of using Internet Explorer to navigate the pix and insert some sort of AUTORUN file on to the CD so the kids can just stick it in and click away. But then how would this work if they have a MAC?



IN A NUTSHELL
-------------------

1. I'm not constraint to the ideas I have so far so I can use a lot more.
2. I could use ideas on how to organize and present the pictures on the CD.
3. I could also use ideas on how to photoshop the bios considering I really lack any photoshop skills. I was thinking of maybe pasting each kids pix on a polaroid pix and then use the bottom portion to do the bios.
4. I also need some input on what CDR brand is the ABSOLUTE BEST. I'm gonna need to master about 36 copies and I want these to last forever, or close to forever.

Well that's it for now. I could also use a free bump. And thanks for the help. THis means a lot to me and I'm am sure it'll mean a lot to the kids.
 
Maybe try powerpoint. I know you can set it up so the pc using the cd doesnt need powerpoint installed. Powerpoint to go or something like that. Then, you might be able to divide the photos up into different sections. Since it would basically be point and click, almost anyone could use it easily. Plus, it wouldn't be hard to put together.
 


<< What about Kodak Gold CDs? >>



look on the side of teh container, where were they made? taiwan - no, japan - yes.
 
good idea.

doing it in an HTML file might be a good idea because it is readable on any computer without having to install extra things. Another good idea would be to use Director 7 and make a flash type movie. This would be self contained and leave you with more power to do whatever creative things you wish. HTML can be restricting.
 
I would love to make a movie but I really lack any sort of talent in that area 🙂 For now the only easy option for me is HTML.

If I go with HTML, I can just make an AUTORUN.INF file to load the starting HTML file right? And whether they are using I.E., Netscape, Opera, etc. then it'll work without a problem? What if they have a MAC? How can I make it load on it's own?


Here's a sample of what I've been toying with.

http://home1.gte.net/res0vy4w/test.jpg
 
I'd suggest using macromedia director to make the interactive cd. it gives you unbelievable flexibility. you can literally do anything. ever seen those encyclopedias on cdrom? some of them were made with director.

it's very very easy to pick up the basic gist of it and lingo (director's language) with a book. your final thing is just compiled into an EXE file that will work on any win32 machine or you can, if you have access to a mac, make a mac projector too so its cross platform.
you could even put some digital video and some audio in ther. 🙂
 


<< But then how would this work if they have a MAC? >>


I think the Mac's equivalent to the Autorun is something called Autoplay, an option you have to select when you're mastering the disc in your burning program. Chances are most Mac burning programs will have the option, but I'm not sure I've seen a PC burning program that does.



<< 4. I also need some input on what CDR brand is the ABSOLUTE BEST. I'm gonna need to master about 36 copies and I want these to last forever, or close to forever. >>


Someone mentioned Kodaks Golds and I'm in agreement. We'll probably have a holy war about what's the best archival quality consumer disc but I won't start it -- this is my opinion which is shared by many others.
 
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