Interactivity

One of main allures of this clumsy undefined beast we call "new media" is the promise of interactivity. New media should not simply mean content shown on an ipod or on a website. It should, if it is to live up to its promises, draw the viewer in as an active participant in shaping their own experience.

Users can interact with the work through various modalities. One way is by using gaming controllers. the most expressive gaming controller by far is the wireless Wii remote.


The Wii can "talk" very easily to MMJ through bluetooth. This controller also has 3 force sensors in it so that it not only responds to pressing its buttons but also by moving it in space and determining its orientation with respect to the direction of gravity.

The apple ir remote is another controller that plays well with MMJ.


The iphone, any midi controller, and the camera itself (using computer vision algorithms) are all easily accessible as expressive controllers. MMJ is very good at providing these kinds of connections for repurposing our consumer technologies without too much technical know-how.

In this way MMJ is a great tool for student to gain comfort with while developing their media making practice. It also provides a good opportunuty for students to learn some technological and mathematical foundations they might neglect otherwise.