Aspiring bird experts need not leave the house to get a close up look and listen at the state's feathered friends in action, thanks to an innovative CD-ROM hiiting the shelves this month. One of an ever-growing list of field guides on CD-ROM, the two-volume "Better Birdwatching in Colorado," features maps, text, pictures, and audio and video clips of Colorado birds, all designed to give beginner birders the information they need to recognize species out in the field. ...
Rather than try to memorize a one dimensional image on a page to learn about ferruginous hawks, users of the CD-ROM set can listen to a bird call, view a close-up color picture, and watch the birds motions as it flies away. The video clips can be viewed frame by frame for those wanting a more detailed look at movements and markings. The program allows users to take notes, and to print them out for use in an outing.
A virtual bird quiz tests the students progress. A birding hotspots map helps the birder scope out area bird havens and plan upcoming trips. The first CD covers 185 species, from loons, grebes and pelicans to vultures, hawks and falcons. -- Text from an article in the Boulder Daily Camera, March 25, 1998, in Cool Gear of the Get Out section, "Multimedia Guide to Birds", by Lisa Marshall.
I remember when booting up meant getting ready for a hike. This should immediately identify my antipathy toward computers.
I fill my life with natural wonders, especially birds. They live in the trees, eat the fruits of the wildflowers and prey on insects, fishes and mammals. It's a glorious system that works and works extremely well.
Quite frankly, a microprocessor is a mere fly speck compared to the magnificence of a barn swallow in flight. ...
You just pop the CD thing in your computer, push some buttons, fool around with a mouse (of no known family or species), and suddenly you have access to Colorado's birds.
This CD covers 185 bird species in a true multi-media package. You get range maps for all species, 350 photographs of 128 species, 130 videos for 69 species and 100 audios for 51 species. The CD also quizzes you and provides 40 videos and 213 photographs of Colorado's most productive birding locations. ...
Ultimately, "Better Birdwatching" relies on homebound technology. You cannot reasonably carry it afield. But you don't have to. That's what books are for. One does not replace the other, but rather they complement each other.
See? I'm learning. You can, too. About Colorado birds with "Better Birdwatching in Colorado." -- PATHFINDER by Kevin J. Cook for Friday, July 31, 1998
The competition was organized by the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Society for Technical Communication, and the CD received a Merit Award. Judge #1 * "Individual page presentation is very good. Nice use of scanned/processed photos, integration of sound/video, etc. Users/birdwatchers will probably love it." * "icons/buttons/links that start video/audio clips are well designed and seem to work well." * "Nice, short videos show the behavior without a lot of confusing extra frames." * "Notes section seems like a good idea." * "It is an informative system, well-balanced and forward." * "The Quiz section is nice- people will enjoy that I think." * "Clearly you have an interesting, useful tool for birdwatchers and people who want to learn about birds." * "Fascinating CD title."
Judge #2 "Liked the maps/locations- consistent organization." * "Good use of captions for on-screen presentation" (refers to * captions with arrows pointing to important characteristics in * bird photos.) "Good job with photos!" "Great job on graphics and * videos- very appropriate for presentation." "Liked the use of * photos, videos, and captions. Good way to show look and behavior." * "Liked PAV notations" (Picture, Audio, and Video for each species * are indicated in the indexes.) "Very professional look and feel." * "Showed you know your subject matter and were able to present it in * a very effective and usable manner." * "Design nice." * "Quiz a good idea." * The judge replied "yes to all" for the following factors regarding Achievement of Purpose. - Stated purpose is met or surpassed. - Central idea or goal is evident. - Audience is consistently and appropriately addressed. - The entry strikes you as appealing, interesting, and useful to the intended user. * "Overall, very engaging and effective." * "Cannot take it with you in the field unless you have a laptop (that is OK, but you would want to!)" Judge #3 * "All graphics and videos look very professional." * "This product is a good idea and very useful." * "I think this is an 'encyclopedia' for Colorado birds." -- What the judges at the Online Communications Competition have to say about Better Birdwatching in Colorado, Volumes 1 & 2.
What the judges at the Online Communications Competition have to say about Better Birdwatching in Colorado, Volumes 1 & 2. The competition was organized by the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Society for Technical Communication, and the CD received a Merit Award. Judge #1 * "Individual page presentation is very good. Nice use of scanned/processed photos, integration of sound/video, etc. Users/birdwatchers will probably love it." * "icons/buttons/links that start video/audio clips are well designed and seem to work well." * "Nice, short videos show the behavior without a lot of confusing extra frames." * "Notes section seems like a good idea." * "It is an informative system, well-balanced and forward." * "The Quiz section is nice- people will enjoy that I think." * "Clearly you have an interesting, useful tool for birdwatchers and people who want to learn about birds." * "Fascinating CD title." Judge #2 * "Liked the maps/locations- consistent organization." * "Good use of captions for on-screen presentation" (refers to captions with arrows pointing to important characteristics in bird photos.) * "Good job with photos!" * "Great job on graphics and videos- very appropriate for presentation." * "Liked the use of photos, videos, and captions. Good way to show look and behavior." * "Liked PAV notations" (Picture, Audio, and Video for each species are indicated in the indexes.) * "Very professional look and feel." * "Showed you know your subject matter and were able to present it in a very effective and usable manner." * "Design nice." * "Quiz a good idea." * The judge replied "yes to all" for the following factors regarding Achievement of Purpose. - Stated purpose is met or surpassed. - Central idea or goal is evident. - Audience is consistently and appropriately addressed. - The entry strikes you as appealing, interesting, and useful to the intended user. * "Overall, very engaging and effective." * "Cannot take it with you in the field unless you have a laptop (that is OK, but you would want to!)" Judge #3 * "All graphics and videos look very professional." * "This product is a good idea and very useful." * "I think this is an 'encyclopedia' for Colorado birds.": -- Online Media Competition
