The abstract media model

Abstract

The goal of this thesis was to create a comprehensive model which could be used as a framework for thinking about, working with, and understanding the many elements of media. This model is called the Abstract Media Model (AMM). The AMM has been built using a systems design methodology so that not only were the overall technical aspects of problems carefully considered, but there was equal concern for the economic, social, human, and political parameters. The AMM in addition to providing a media framework gave rise to:

- a new media representation called the Abstract Media Code (AMC). The AMC is important as it can represent many media types. The AMC, because of its time code foundation, also serves as a bridge. It plays this role by linking the existing media production community with its hueg investment in analogue-based tools, techniques and methodologies to the emerging digital world. The AMC is also an example of convergence in media representations and as such can support the technology convergence we are currently witnessing.

- a decontextualised, service-oriented media model which is implemented, in prototype form, using distributed object computing (DOC).

- a new type of database system built using neural net technology which utilises the Abstract Media Code.

Each of these accomplishments was made possible by the partition-based design of the AMM. This type of design has resulted in the AMM providing a fragmented and decontextualised view of media. The fragmentation and decontextualisation of media is important as it is the basis for recombination which in turn presents opportunities for technological, social and cultural innovation.